SHM.Blade® – Intelligent System for Condition Monitoring of Rotor Blades for Structural Damage and Ice Detection
Rotor blades of wind turbines are exposed to extreme environmental conditions and high dynamic stresses. At the same time they have a decisive influence on the energy yield and thus on the economic efficiency of a wind turbine. Incipient damage must be detected at the earliest stage possible and distinguished from normal environmental and operational influences. Severe damage can be prevented by the repair measures, which are comparatively inexpensive at this early stage.
Downtimes due to damage that is not detected or detected too late are avoided and the energy yield is increased. Periodic inspections are not sufficient for an early detection of damage. Continuous monitoring ensures a higher level of safety.
Complete system integration vs. software solution: the difference between SHM.Blade and SHM.App-on Blade
By combining robust hardware, particularly sensors for data acquisition, with powerful software, SHM.Blade enables precise analyses that detect damage and irregularities at an early stage. SHM.App-on Blade offers the same range of analysis but as a purely software-based solution. It can be flexibly integrated into existing monitoring platforms and utilizes existing sensors for data acquisition.
The functions of SHM.Blade at a glance
SHM.Blade for the detection of structural damage
SHM.Blade is a tried and tested system, certified by DNV GL, that can detect structural damage on rotor blades at an early stage. For this purpose, a reference condition is used which is determined individually for each rotor blade, fully automatically, immediately after the activation of SHM.Blade. he determination of the reference condition is a blade-specific learning phase which ensures the system's high sensitivity to damage – despite the mass and stiffness tolerances caused during production.
The SHM.Blade algorithms have been further developed to detect structural changes with even greater sensitivity and to classify them in a more differentiated manner. Additional context on the affected natural frequencies provides even better possibilities for assessing anomalies, while more sensitive methods ensure even earlier detection.
SHM.Blade for reliable ice detection with automatic restart function (IDD.Blade®)
Especially at so-called "cold climate" locations, additional weather-related risks arise. Authorities require that wind turbines (WTs) be stopped in the event of rotor blade icing to protect the surrounding area from ice shedding. This is particularly important for onshore turbines. Moreover, icing leads to increased loads, which can significantly affect the turbine's lifespan. The measurement of vibration behavior has proven to be a reliable and efficient method for detecting ice.
IDD.Blade is becoming even more automated, adaptable and robust during wind turbine operation. New operating conditions are automatically detected and incorporated into the reference condition through continuous, self-learning referencing. At the same time, optimised analysis and signal processing methods ensure higher indicator availability as well as more stable and plausible ice indicators. The quality of the ice indicators is also assessed at low wind speeds. In the reference analyses carried out, the further developed method also demonstrated an even lower false alarm rate.
As the sensors in the rotor blades directly record the actual icing condition, the results are much more reliable than an assessment based on meteorological parameters. IDD.Blade reduces shutdown times to the times of actual icing.
- Automatic ice detection
- Automatic switch-off in case of icing
- Automatic restart of the wind turbine when the blades are ice-free
How does a wind-wind situation pay off?
When two of the most renowned specialists for structural health monitoring of rotor blades join forces, the result is a big plus for all wind turbine operators. They are informed about structural damage at an early stage, maintenance intervals become more predictable and costs can be significantly reduced. Benefit now from the innovative hardware from Phoenix Contact in addition with the high data analysis competence of Wölfel Wind Systems.
Please contact us personally
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We would be pleased to support you in solving your problem concerning "Wind turbine vibrations" and advise you on questions regarding our system and service offerings in the areas of structural health monitoring, vibration reduction, sound and noise as well as structural design.
Industrial engineering in dual study programme, Osnabrück University of Cooperative Education
SALES DIRECTOR AND EXPERT IN SCALING STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS SOLUTIONS FOR THE WIND ENERGY SECTOR
Responsible, together with his team, for the market development and positioning of solutions in the fields of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and vibration mitigation
Extensive experience in collaborating with global OEMs and operators across the wind turbine value chain
Implementation of commercial strategies for the successful delivery of complex projects
Building long-term customer partnerships and identifying new business opportunities in the international wind energy market
Civil Engineering, TU Berlin
Dipl.-Ing.
WAB e.V.
"Paths are created by walking them." (Franz Kafka)
Working independently in a flexible, highly innovative company that makes a little contribution to the energy transition.
SENIOR KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER
More than 10 years of experience in international key account management, sales and bid management in technology-driven industries, including aerospace and renewable energy
Experienced in collaborating with interdisciplinary and international project teams as well as coordinating complex tendering and contract processes
Degree in Applied Foreign Languages and Business Administration, complemented by international academic and professional experience and multilingual capabilities (DE, EN, FR, ES)
Holds additional certifications in negotiation and sales
Industrial engineering in dual study programme, Osnabrück University of Cooperative Education
SALES DIRECTOR AND EXPERT IN SCALING STRUCTURAL DYNAMICS SOLUTIONS FOR THE WIND ENERGY SECTOR
Responsible, together with his team, for the market development and positioning of solutions in the fields of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and vibration mitigation
Extensive experience in collaborating with global OEMs and operators across the wind turbine value chain
Implementation of commercial strategies for the successful delivery of complex projects
Building long-term customer partnerships and identifying new business opportunities in the international wind energy market
Civil Engineering, TU Berlin
Dipl.-Ing.
WAB e.V.
"Paths are created by walking them." (Franz Kafka)
Working independently in a flexible, highly innovative company that makes a little contribution to the energy transition.
SENIOR KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER
More than 10 years of experience in international key account management, sales and bid management in technology-driven industries, including aerospace and renewable energy
Experienced in collaborating with interdisciplinary and international project teams as well as coordinating complex tendering and contract processes
Degree in Applied Foreign Languages and Business Administration, complemented by international academic and professional experience and multilingual capabilities (DE, EN, FR, ES)
Holds additional certifications in negotiation and sales