Acoustic imaging technology presents a robust early warning system that aids operators in identifying potential wind turbine issues before they escalate, thus maintaining optimal efficiency.
For governments worldwide, choosing energy sources involves complex considerations that encompass logistics, financial implications, and environmental and geopolitical factors. These elements have driven the extensive expansion of wind turbines globally, with environmental and geopolitical factors playing a crucial role in their significant growth.
The Global Expansion of Wind Energy
In 2023, the global wind energy sector installed a record-breaking 117 gigawatts of new capacity, marking a 50% increase from the previous year. This installation surge increased the total global wind energy capacity to over 1,000 gigawatts. China led these new installations, followed by the United States, Germany, and India.
While the majority of wind turbines are land-based, offshore turbines currently account for 7% of the total, but they are rapidly gaining traction. Many countries are increasingly investing in this technology, indicating that offshore wind energy will play an increasingly significant role moving forward.
Future Growth of the Wind Energy Sector
The wind energy industry is on a robust growth trajectory, projected to achieve a compound average growth rate
The wind energy industry is on a robust growth trajectory, projected to achieve a compound average growth rate of 8.8%, according to the Global Wind Energy Council.
Offshore wind energy, in particular, is expected to grow tenfold by 2030, leveraging the stronger and more consistent winds found offshore. This potential for growth underscores the sector's substantial expansion prospects.
Challenges in Maintaining Turbines
The strategic placement of wind turbines in remote and hard-to-reach areas, such as offshore locations, presents significant logistical challenges for both construction and maintenance. Even land-based turbines can pose difficulties, especially when situated in remote mountainous regions optimal for wind capture.
Furthermore, accessing and maintaining internal components of a turbine, such as the gearbox within the nacelle, poses additional challenges due to space constraints and the necessity of accommodating heavy components like lubricating oil.
The Importance of Monitoring Critical Components
The gearbox is one of a wind turbine's essential components, responsible for increasing rotational speed
The gearbox is one of a wind turbine's essential components, responsible for increasing rotational speed from the blade shaft to the electrical generator while decreasing torque.
Often featuring intricate and costly planetary gearbox systems, these components necessitate proactive condition monitoring to prevent expensive failures and unnecessary downtime. Early detection of potential issues allows operators to rectify problems, thereby minimizing costs and extending the turbine's operational lifespan.
Acoustic Imaging for Proactive Maintenance
Flir has developed advanced acoustic imaging cameras designed to detect abnormal sounds indicative of early bearing failure. These handheld cameras are non-intrusive, capable of detecting sounds from afar, thus ensuring operator safety and enabling inspections without interrupting operations. The Flir Si2-Series boasts a 12 MP camera that captures sound, presenting the data on a 5-inch, 1280 × 750 high-definition color screen for clear, real-time monitoring.
These innovative devices serve as an early warning system for preventative maintenance. Besides detecting abnormalities in bearings and gearbox systems, they can identify leaks in compressed air or gas systems and partial discharges in electrical systems. This functionality not only delivers substantial cost savings but also bolsters health and safety in potentially hazardous environments.
Acoustic imaging offers a powerful early warning solution, enabling operators to detect issues before they escalate and keep turbines running efficiently.
For any government, sourcing energy involves complex decisions that extend beyond logistics, finance, and environmental considerations to include geopolitical factors. While all of these elements have influenced the rapid expansion of wind turbines worldwide, environmental and geopolitical concerns have been particularly instrumental in driving their significant growth.
The global rise of wind energy
In 2023 the global wind industry installed a record 117 gigawatts of new capacity, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. This surge brought the total global wind capacity to over 1,000 gigawatts. China led the way in new installations, followed by the United States, Germany and India. The vast majority of wind turbines are land based, with offshore making up the remaining 7%. However, offshore is experiencing faster growth and is expected to play a more significant role in the future as more countries develop and invest in the new technology.
Looking to the future, the wind energy sector is expected to continue its growth trajectory, with an anticipated compound average growth rate of 8.8% according to the Global Wind Energy Council. Offshore wind capacity, where stronger and more consistent winds are experienced, is expected to grow tenfold from its current level by 2030, exemplifying the sector’s staggering growth.
Challenges in turbine maintenance
The very nature of wind capture means that wind turbines are usually located in remote, hard the reach areas. Offshore windfarms clearly pose logistical challenges both in terms of construction and maintenance, but even land-based turbines often create real challenges for maintenance crews when positioned in remote mountainous terrain where wind capture is maximized.
Maintenance logistics even within the turbine itself can be a challenge. The nacelle, which houses the gearbox must be accessed via the tower with very limited space to move around. Inserting heavy components and lubricating oil into the nacelle is often difficult. For this reason, any measure that enhances the durability and reliability of key nacelle components is highly valuable to wind farm operators.
Monitoring of critical components
One of the critical components of a wind turbine is the gearbox. It is responsible for increasing the rotational speed from the blade shaft to the electrical generator, decreasing torque and increasing speed. Many designs incorporate planetary gearbox systems, given the efficiency of these systems to increase speed from the shaft. Containing an array of helical gears and multiple bearings these gearboxes are both intricate and expensive.
Failure can prove extremely expensive both in terms of replacing components, but also in turbine downtime, as logistical challenges of getting replacement parts often proves difficult. For these reasons, proactive condition monitoring of critical components is essential. Early detection of potential issues allows operators to address problems before they escalate, reducing costly downtime and extending the lifespan of the turbine.
Acoustic imaging as an effective early warning system
Flir have introduced a series of advanced acoustic imaging cameras capable of detecting abnormal sounds that occur when a bearing is showing early signs of failure. These handheld cameras are non-obtrusive and can pick up sounds from a significant distance, keeping the operator safe and allowing for inspections without halting operations. The Flir Si2-Series features a 12 MP camera that captures sound, and the signal is displayed on a 5-inch, 1280 × 750 high-definition color screen providing clear, concise, real-time results.
These lightweight, cutting-edge devices are designed to provide an early warning system for preventative maintenance. Detecting abnormalities in bearings and gearbox systems is just one of their many applications. They can also identify leaks in compressed air or gas systems and detect partial discharge in electrical systems, offering not only significant cost savings but also ensuring health and safety in potentially hazardous environments.
