IoT platform for offshore wind turbine blade structure health monitoring

Abstract

Wind energy, as renewable energy, is critical in targeting carbon neutrality or net zero emissions in order to address global climate change. Compared with onshore wind turbines, offshore wind turbines enjoy generally higher wind speed, thus producing more electric energy. However, the harsh marine environment, including high winds, wave-induced vibrations and and sea and rain corrosion and erosion, can lead to structural damage, reduced operational efficiency and increased maintenance cost. This paper presents a novel Internet of Things (IoT) platform for structural health monitoring (SHM) of the offshore wind turbine’s key component, the wind turbine blades. This research focuses on developing a comprehensive, real-time monitoring system that utilises advanced sensor networks, edge computing, and advanced predictive algorithms to strengthen on-time maintenance of turbine blades, while avoiding unnecessary and costly regular maintenance.