How long will a wind turbine last?

Wind turbines have a lifespan of between 20 and 25 years, depending on the level of maintenance provided and the conditions the wind turbine is placed in. Erosion happens faster on coastal sites, which experience strong winds and salty air. Leading-edge erosion on blades means that repairs are typically needed every two to five years, and cracks and structural issues often appear between 10 and 15 years.

NDT stands for non-destructive testing and refers to various techniques used to assess the strength, quality and integrity of materials without causing any damage. It is used across a range of sectors, including healthcare, construction and aerospace, as well as to assess energy assets, such as wind turbines. Common methods include ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, magnetic particle inspection, and dye penetrant testing.

How does ultrasonic testing work?

Ultrasonic testing is based on the principle of sonar and involves using a transducer to transmit sound signals through a material. The returning echoes are received by the original or a secondary transducer and analysed to assess the location, size and depth of any irregularities. Ultrasonic testing is useful in predictive maintenance, because issues can be picked up and addressed before they become significant.

How often do wind turbines need to be inspected?

Wind turbines usually need to be inspected around twice a year, however routine maintenance may be more frequent. Timescales can vary, depending on the size, location and model of the turbine, but manufacturers usually provide recommended inspection schedules. Typically, offshore turbines require more frequent inspection, as exposure to saltwater can cause corrosion, and high winds can erode blades. Once every one to two years, wind turbines are cleaned, to remove debris and pollutants that reduce efficiency.

What are the most common maintenance issues for wind turbines?

Leading edge erosion is the most common maintenance issue for wind turbines, caused by exposure to rough extreme weather conditions, which weaken the blade’s surface. Material fatigue, impact damage, and environmental exposure are also common issues which cause cracks and delamination in wind turbine blades. Gearbox and bearing failures are also common, caused by the general wear and tear of high-speed rotation, while gear failures are often caused by degraded lubrication.

Wind

Features

Robots versus humans: will wind turbine management reach complete automation?

Robotic solutions have advanced rapidly over the past decade, becoming an essential technology in the inspection and management of wind…

Eve Thomas
News

Ming Yang announces $2bn investment to set up wind turbine plant in Scotland

Ming Yang Smart Energy, a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, has announced plans to invest up to £1.5bn ($2bn) to establish…
News

RWE commissions Kail wind farm in Germany

Germany-based renewable energy developer RWE has commissioned the Kail wind farm, its first wind farm in the Rhineland-Palatinate region in…
News

Ørsted raises $9.35bn through rights issue

Ørsted has raised DKr59.56bn ($9.35bn) through a rights issue to strengthen its capital structure and support ongoing projects. This rights…
News

Cadeler signs wind turbine installation contract with Ocean Winds

Cadeler has signed a contract with Ocean Winds for the transportation and installation of offshore wind turbines for the 390MW…

News

EBRD to provide $74.1m in funding for Ras Ghareb wind farm in Egypt

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is set to provide a comprehensive financing package for the development and…
News

Dutch government to provide subsidies for offshore wind farms

The Dutch government has announced plans to allocate approximately €1bn ($1.18bn) in subsidies for the development of offshore wind farms…
News

Developer and states sue US government for stop-work order against wind project

The states of Rhode Island and Connecticut, along with the developer of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, have filed…
News

IES’ 600MW Monsoon Wind Power Project commences operations in Laos

The Monsoon Wind Power Project, a 600MW wind farm in Laos, has officially commenced commercial operations. The project, spearheaded by…
News

Cadeler partners with Synera Renewable Energy for wind farm offshore Taiwan

Cadeler has signed a contract with Synera Renewable Energy (SRE) to manage the transportation and installation of 35 Siemens Gamesa…