Blade services

If blades are not checked for damage and wear at suitable intervals, turbine yield can potentially decrease over time. Siemens Gamesa combines drone inspections with an online platform called Hermes, which controls the process. Developed in partnership with Microsoft, Hermes’s artificial intelligence uses the power of cloud computing and big data. The drones capture high-resolution images in a fast and accurate way. Hermes analyzes them for potential blade damage and afterward provides customers with a thorough analysis of their turbine’s blade conditions as well as sufficient data to make informed decisions about any necessary repair.

Hermes is now being further improved by migrating it to Microsoft Azure and infusing it with Azure AI, to enhance image recognition. The result: safer, faster and more accurate inspections.

The Siemens Gamesa Blade Integrity Management service module offers a thorough assessment of the condition of the blade by our experts. It can minimize downtime and improve turbine performance. BIM comes in two different variations:

• BIM I (Inspection): Following a comprehensive inspection plan, Siemens Gamesa issues a validated status report on the condition of the blades including an assessment and prioritization of blade repairs that will be necessary in the future.
• BIM R&M (Repairs and Monitoring): We observe the performance of the blade in response to the conditions during inspections and any implemented repair. This includes the planning and prioritization of necessary tasks, the execution of repair work, and further monitoring of non-critical findings.

This durable and cost-optimized leading edge protection mitigates the impact of erosion to the leading edge. PowerEdge™ Care is a lifetime solution and thereby prevents reoccurring repairs, minimizes the turbine’s downtime and provides an AEP upside relative to eroded blades.

• Optimized application method: Rope technicians install flexible pre-casted shells, to the desired length. A liquid adhesive is used to apply the shells directly onto the eroded surface of the blades, eliminating the need for repairing non-structural damage to the leading edge – thereby saving on installation time, steps and materials.
• Best-in-class: The product has been extensively tested and exhibits best-in-class performance in terms of erosion resistance, adhesion strength and aerodynamic impact. The overall solution is validated by Siemens Gamesa and ongoing certification by DNV GL.