Iberdrola has launched a new start-up challenge in search of innovative and competitive solutions that will help improve monitoring systems on wind farms.
The Spanish company said it has placed a focus on solutions that can be implemented quickly, easily and inexpensively on existing turbines.
Iberdrola said: “Monitoring systems for wind turbines are key elements for extending the life of the wind farms.
“These systems collect data that make it possible for maintenance planning and early fault detection.”
Submissions must be made before 31 August and proposals should include a detailed description of the solutions and any supporting information regarding feasibility and cost effectiveness, the company said.
Proposals must cover one or more of a number of categories.
Systems for monitoring the components of the drive train – main bearing and gearbox – such as vibration and main shaft torque measurement sensors and accelerometers.
Low-cost wireless sensors for measuring the temperature of rotor bearings, gear tooth wear, and wireless acoustic sensors for monitoring the breakage of components inside the rotor.
Low-cost wireless sensors for monitoring the structural behaviour of foundations, by capturing tilt, tension and low-frequency vibration will also be considered.
The challenge is targeting low cost solutions or sensors, low-powered or self-powered units and that can be implemented in wind farms already in operation with turbines from different suppliers.
Other technology that can apply include wireless and autonomous sensors that do not need external power, long-distance wireless data transmission protocols that enable centralised data collection at the substation or the operations and maintenance base, and on-edge data processing to reduce the bandwidth needed to transmit the data.
Opening interfaces for the post-processing and sending of the raw data and multifunctional sensors and combine, for example, temperature, pressure, humidity and triaxial vibration data will also be considered.
Iberdrola director of global renewable development Pablo Collado said: “Achieving climate change targets will only be possible if renewable energy technology continues to improve efficiency and cost competitiveness.
“Through this challenge we hope to discover new solutions that will help us to extend the life of our assets, which means more clean megawatts of power for homes and businesses, and continued cost reductions.”