By using digital twin models, wind turbine operators will be provided with up-to-the-minute data on how their assets are performing rather than having to schedule in regular shutdown times for inspection and investigation, the outcomes of which may result in unwelcome detection of faults in wind turbines that have developed over time unnoticed.
Ángela Angulo, Senior Project Leader, Condition and Structural Health Monitoring at TWI explains, ‘The data to be provided by the WindTwin digital software platform has the potential to provide the wind turbine industry with many benefits. It will enable wind farm operators to better diagnose performance variations of the entire wind turbine asset down to its constituent individual components level; anticipate degradation and failures; and deploy condition-based maintenance instead of schedule-based strategies.’
‘The advancements delivered by WindTwin will help to minimise wind turbine downtime, and reduce inspection and maintenance costs. Operators will be able to virtually test maintenance upgrades before deployment and better control wind turbine setting, resulting in optimised wind turbine performance and energy output,’ she added.
WindTwin project’s thirty month duration will also see the consortium develop a business plan and go-to-market strategy to commercialise the new digital twin platform globally, as well as plans to expand into adjacent industries and applications.
Image shows a representation of digital twin technology for wind turbines.
For more information, please contact us.