26.01.2024 - Wind Energy

Romotioncam in the Erneuerbare Energien magazine

Romotioncam CEO Holger Nawrocki and CTO René Harendt explain in the interview how the patented rotor blade inspection of the company works.

What service do you offer?
»Holger Nawrocki: Our patented method for blade inspections is the only one on the market that performs inspections while the wind turbine is in operation. The Romotioncam is an innovative technology for monitoring rotor blades during the operation of the wind turbine. The ground-based Romotioncam performs blade inspections and takes high-resolution images for damage reports.

How does the technology work?
»René Harendt: The technology, developed in cooperation with Fraunhofer, works by having a ground-based video camera film the blade, while a camera on a swivel neck runs synchronously with the blade, taking photos. This avoids blurring despite the high blade tip speeds. The high-resolution images provide a clear view of the damage and its measurements. We create a 360° representation of the blade using shots from six different perspectives.

What happens to the data?
»René Harendt: The data is collected and securely stored. During the analysis, the damage is marked and assessed, and categorized. An inspection report is immediately generated. The Romotioncam image metadata can be adjusted so that it can be integrated into any client software interface and database.

What makes your technology unique?
»Holger Nawrocki: Because the blade inspection takes place during operation, we have no downtime. This means a particularly efficient optimization of the wind farm. We achieve this by maximizing the energy production of each wind turbine. The Romotioncam can inspect 5 to 10 wind turbines per day, regardless of blade length. This means it takes 45 to 60 minutes per turbine. Another unique feature is that inspections can also be done at high wind speeds and rotational speeds of up to 25 RPM. Because damage detection is done remotely, the customer has 100% planning certainty, and there is, of course, complete safety for personnel and equipment. Shutting down a wind turbine is a time- and cost-intensive process that requires communication between several parties to agree on downtime. Inspections during energy production eliminate the need for these processes.

Where do you see other advantages of your technology?
»Holger Nawrocki: Our blade inspection method is the only one that can inspect blades under tension. This allows us to detect damage earlier. Another advantage is that the optical data collection can also take place in difficult light conditions, such as overcast skies. Additionally, no permits are required – and this applies worldwide. The violation of image rights through the recording of the visible horizon or objects behind it is also excluded.

What are your references?
»René Harendt: In 2023, we conducted nearly 1,000 documentations. Among our clients is, for example, RWE. However, we can use the system worldwide and have already gained experience in the USA, Africa, and Brazil. We now have over 20 camera systems and can theoretically carry out up to 15,000 plant documentations per year. We are also currently working with the Federal Institute for Materials Research on combining the technology with thermal imaging cameras.