Offshore repair and maintenance robot BladeBUG has performed the first remotely controlled lightning protection test on an offshore wind turbine.
During a recent test at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s Levenmouth facility BladeBUG was controlled from the nacelle using onboard cameras.
The robot performed a series of checks and tasks beyond the visual line of sight whilst the rope operator remained in the safety of the nacelle.
The BladeBUG robot was able to carry out a lightning protection system (LPS) check thanks to its manoeuvrable body, which can move and be positioned independently of the legs.
A lightning protection test is a common and routine task for offshore wind rope access technicians.
With 38% of operating expenditure going to maintenance and other minor tasks, a repair and maintenance robot enables technicians to proceed with other more significant repairs and checks.
The result is a direct reduction in offshore wind maintenance costs resulting in better efficiency and more cost effective offshore wind maintenance.
During this latest three-day trial the BladeBUG robot walked the entire length of the 80 metre blade, proving its ability to navigate the curvature of the blade.