Digital twin modelling can help wind farm owners and turbine makers predict and plan for faults and optimise asset performance, says a new report from Navigant Research.
Since wind turbines lend themselves well to collecting vast amounts of data, predictive analytics and digital twin modelling could “revolutionise” the wind industry, according to the Advancing O&M Insights for Wind Plants with Digital Twins report.
Navigant Research section research analyst Jesse Broehl said: “Digital copies of operating wind turbines can enable asset owners to virtually and remotely monitor, test, and predict the performance and condition of turbines and subcomponents and carry out performance and reliability tests in a virtual environment.
“This empowers asset owners and wind turbine manufacturers operating wind turbines to predict and plan for faults and optimize performance of their assets.”
To leverage digital twin technology, the report recommends wind turbine manufacturers see themselves as both vendors and customers of the technology, while independent software as a service vendors mine the market and leverage third-party independence over wind turbine OEMs.
Meanwhile, asset owners implementing digital twins should test and verify the technology’s promises.
The study discusses wind sector-specific offerings, trends, and intensifying vendor landscape. The analysis examines drivers and barriers for wind turbine asset owners, wind turbine producers, and software vendors that are increasingly active in this space.
The report also discusses specific market players using digital twin technology, applications and strategies specific to wind turbines, and provides recommendations for wind market participants.