During turbine installation, an unexpected issue was identified with a blade. The client needed an urgent inspection to understand the extent of the damage and to support repair planning.
Support Services Provider: Medway Access & Rescue
Client: Vestas Wind turbine installation
Services Provided: Urgent drone blade inspection with high-resolution imaging
Project Location: Wind farm site during turbine installation
Sector: Offshore wind turbine energy
Objectives:
Understand the condition of the blade as quickly as possible.
Establish the extent of the damage so repairs could be planned efficiently.
Reduce downtime and uncertainty for the project team.
Identify the damage before it developed into a more significant and costly problem.
Project Overview
During turbine installation, an unexpected issue was identified with a blade. The client needed an urgent inspection to understand the extent of the damage and to support repair planning.
Medway Access & Rescue mobilised quickly with our high-resolution imaging capability. We carried out a detailed inspection of the blade and delivered clear photographic data to the project team.
Equipment and Resources Involved
Drone with a high-resolution imaging payload, flown by Medway’s drone inspection team.
Supporting ground equipment set up on site, including a tripod-mounted unit and protective transport case.
Medway’s fully equipped inspection vehicle, allowing us to mobilise quickly and work self-sufficiently on site.
Risk Assessment and Controls
Inspecting by drone, rather than putting people at height, benefits safety, speed and cost.
| Concern | How drone inspection helps |
|---|---|
| Safety | Imaging is carried out from the ground, so no one needs to be placed at height on or around the blade to capture the images. |
| Speed | Medway mobilised quickly, so the project team had the information straight away instead of waiting on a slower access method. |
| Cost and programme | Early, accurate information supports efficient repair planning and helps limit downtime and uncertainty. |
Methodology
Rapid mobilisation: Medway responded to the client’s urgent request and brought the inspection equipment to site quickly.
Site set-up: the drone and supporting equipment were prepared for the inspection.
Detailed inspection: the drone captured high-resolution images of the blade, covering the affected area in detail.
Delivery of data: clear photographic data was passed to the project team so they could assess the damage straight away.
Outcomes
The inspection allowed the client to:
Understand the condition of the blade immediately.
Plan the next stage of repairs efficiently.
Reduce downtime and uncertainty.
Get ahead of the damage before it developed into a more significant and costly issue.
Conclusion
Fast access to accurate information is often the difference between a minor repair and a major project delay. By giving the client the information they needed quickly, this inspection helped avoid potentially significant repair costs and programme delays. It is another example of how drone inspections can provide a safer, faster and more cost-effective solution for the wind industry.
Need a fast, accurate wind turbine blade inspection?
Talk to Medway Access & Rescue about drone inspections for your wind turbine project.