Early warning of damage to wind turbine rotor blades
Image: Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology
Suitable sensor technology must be employed to detect the damage to wind turbine rotor blades early enough, and minimize the economic consequences. The sensors must be able to withstand tough ambient conditions and must themselves be readily available. The evaluation methods that supplement this technology must firstly detect damage in the important areas of the structure as quickly as possible and secondly, display it clearly. These structural health monitoring systems (SHM) must not make mistakes, otherwise they do not serve their purpose.
