WATCH: AI drones seek to revolutionise windfarm operations

Vattenfall says that by combining artificial intelligence with drone inspection, offshore wind operations are becoming smarter and more sustainable. AI drones enhance safety, reduce emissions and lower operational costs by performing complex inspections and proactive maintenance. 

“After take-off of the drone, it will autonomously capture high-resolution images of the blades from different angles,” said Tomas Jansen, product manager O&M Automation for Vattenfall Offshore Wind in Germany.

“The drone will then land on the blade to conduct an ultrasonic scan of the potentially damaged area, giving us complete information of the structural health of the blade.”

Drone testing

Vattenfall is no stranger to drone technology, it already uses drones to perform landside manual inspections of turbines and they are also being tested in Vattenfall’s offshore windfarms in the German North Sea.

The collected data is analysed by machine learning algorithms to detect cracks, erosion and other anomalies. This proactive approach helps prevent major repairs and minimises turbine downtime.

Additionally, cargo drones are being used for faster spare parts delivery, reducing the need for crew transfer vessels and cutting CO2 emissions.

“Using UAVs for rapid deliveries allows the on-site team to work efficiently without waiting for a ship,” explained Roddy Douglas, automation engineer at Vattenfall Offshore Wind in the UK. “This minimises downtime and revenue loss.”

As offshore wind projects move further offshore, remote-controlled vessels and AI drones are proving vital for long-term sustainability and operational efficiency, offering a glimpse into the future of intelligent offshore wind solutions.