Turbulent times – What is the fate of aged wind turbines?
Recently, the wind energy sector has been shaken by two significant incidents in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. In one case, a wind turbine collapsed and crashed into a corn field at Gescher; in another, a fire broke out in a wind farm in Stemwede Bürgerwindpark. Both instances have drawn attention to the challenges aging wind farms are facing. Could these unfortunate events have been prevented?
Inspecto-drones – How can drones support turbine maintenance?
Drones are fast, agile, and make light work of reaching high altitudes. But that doesn't necessarily mean they will revolutionize wind turbine maintenance overnight. Incidentally, we are still waiting for the big drone breakthrough in the industry. When is it going to happen?