We are happy to announce that Aerones technology for wind turbine blade services is recognized by the biggest wind turbine OEMs in the world.
For the last month, we have been conducting a pilot project together with Vestas for the Lightning Protection System (LPS) inspection. By using only one Aerones Robotic unit we are able to demonstrate exceptional speed for the LPS tests by inspecting on average 3 turbines per day. In addition to fast-paced services, we provide the safest solution on the market – using our robotic technology there is no need for technicians to work in height.
Currently, our units are operating in Europe and in the USA. If you are interested in scheduling demonstrations for LPS tests, feel free to contact us via email sales@aerones.com or by phone +371 2809 0999
Latvian drone startup Aerones has announced a $1.6 million seed investment and a whole new direction for the business: the funding will go toward a ground-based robotics system for wind turbine maintenance and inspection. The round was backed by Change Ventures, YCombinator and the Sensum Group, as well as angels Paul Buchheit and Janis Krums.
The new ground-based system is based on a patented technology, wherein a computerised winch allows a robotic arm to perform many tasks, such as close-up photography, laser scanning, lightning conductivity tests, blade cleaning, and coating protective materials.
“Technicians who would otherwise hang hundreds of meters in the air manually working on each turbine blade, where safety concerns and weather limit operations, can now operate these inspection and maintenance services from the safety of a van, with controls that are as easy to use as a kid’s gaming console,” says Janis Putrams, the startup’s CEO.
Based in Riga, the Baltic business previously developed heavy-lift industrial drones, participating in YCombinator W18, finishing in the top three of Slush’s 100 Pitch Competition in 2018, and securing €2.7 million in funding just last August.
“In Aerones we see a company that has spent the last two years understanding in detail the challenges faced by the wind energy industry,” says Andris K. Berzins, managing partner of Change Ventures. “Using these insights, they re-invented their initial drone technology to tailor a robot & winch system that is so elegant that it will take the industry by storm.”
Some Aerones robots are already deployed in the US and Europe after completing successful pilots last year. The fresh funding will help increase commercial adoption and expand the company into the US.
The whole inspection is done in under 2 hours, including the set up and de-rigging.
We have achieved another great milestone in our technology advancement – an automated solution for Leading Edge Repair. We successfully conducted the first LE repair on-site using the Aerones robotic technology. Here is a video of how we repair the Leading Edge in less than 2 hours: https://youtu.be/M9KUZptq2SM
The automated LE repair consists of 5 steps:
No | Step | Description | Time necessary |
1. | Laser scan | Scan the blade before the repair and generate a 3D model of the blade in 12 μm (micrometer) precision to assess the blade condition and adjust the tools. | 15min |
2. | Grinding and sanding | Remove the damaged/eroded layer to allow for application of a new layer of filler. | 10-20min |
3. | Decontamination | Clean up the blade and prepare it for filler application to provide maximal durability of the material applied later. | 10-20min |
4. | Filler application and profiling | Apply an exact amount of the filler material on the blade and profile it in a high-precision. | 10-20min |
5. | Laser scan | Scan the blade after the repair to validate the result and guarantee the highest quality. | 15min |
- | Changing the robotic arms | After each of the steps it is necessary to change the robotic arms. Each of the robotic arms perform different task | 5min x 4 |
- | Total time | Time necessary to perform the whole process for one blade | 1.5h - 2h |
Besides LE Repair, the Aerones robotic blade care systems can perform:
Despite the current challenging situation around the world, Aerones crew keeps on working on wind turbine maintenance service projects in the USA and Europe while taking precautions and maintaining social distancing. It is a challenging time we all face, but thanks to unique Aerones technology characteristics, it is possible to continue the wind turbine maintenance services.
As for the latest project, we conducted a Lightning Protection System (LPS) conductivity test for 100 turbines in Texas, USA (See a video: https://bit.ly/2WUxJAc). In a team of two Aerones technicians and one Aerones service unit, on average we inspected ~3-4 WTGs a day, which is an unprecedented speed for such services in the industry. In terms of wind turbine downtime, this means only ~2h of downtime per turbine, including the set-up of the system.
Besides of conductivity test, Aerones also provide other automated wind turbine services using our robotized technology. The available services include:
Please receive an overview of the LPS conductivity test services HERE:
There you will find a video of how the process is conducted using Aerones robotic technology.
Aerones has started operating in the USA, Texas, where we are performing wind turbine lightning protection system conductivity tests using our automatized robotic system for turbines being at risk of possible lightning strikes. A short video of how are we doing can be seen here: Aerones In Texas.
So far we have done conductivity tests on dozens of turbines and our experience shows that most of the turbines are exposed to a significant risk of lightning strikes, as the lightning protection conductivity system is damaged or not working properly. An issued lightning protection system can lead to a total breakdown of the generators and blades, leading to unexpected costs of even more than $300,000. To be on the safe side and avoid such damages, contact us and order fast (3h per turbine), efficient and robotized services for your wind turbine lightning protection system test.
Besides of lightning protection system test, Aerones robotic system can provide the following services:
The technology offers efficient and unmanned operations with uncompromising health and safety concerns in mind. The whole Aerones robotic system can be assembled and disassembled in an hour, thus significantly minimizing the wind turbine downtime. Please see more in our brochure:
We have developed a new solution for automated Leading Edge preparation for the following repair or protective shell application. More efficient and much faster service than it was available until now!
We're committed to finding innovative ways to improve wind turbine maintenance. To increase labor safety and reduce costs and time spent, Aerones invented the world's first WTG maintenance robotic system. The technology offer efficient and unmanned operations with uncompromised health and safety concerns in mind. The whole Aerones robotic system can be assembled and disassembled in an hour, thus significantly minimizing the wind turbine downtime.
Using Aerones robotic system, you get everything from a single source:
Aerones were contracted to perform Vestas V80 wind turbine blade grease and accumulated dust removal using automated rope robotic system. Additionally, all lightning receptor conductivity tests were conducted to ascertain the lightning protection system proper functioning. Several malfunctioning receptors were found and reported to the client for remedial works.
To ascertain cleaning quality control, all of the turbine blades were photographed before and after the cleaning took place.
It took Aerones team 18 hours to complete the full cleaning process, close visual inspection and LPS tests (10 receptors per blade). All of the inspection findings were reported to the client. Data stored on Aerones secure servers for convenient access. PDF format reports were also made available to the client.
