The Institute of Technology and Renewable Energies (ITER) and the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) have joined forces in the AEROTWIN project to create an innovative system for detecting pathologies in wind turbines, based on the use of a digital twin and artificial intelligence techniques.
AEROTWIN is one of the six projects for which ITER has obtained funding under the 2021 call for public-private collaboration projects from the Ministry of Science and Innovation. This project focuses on the development of a comprehensive monitoring system for wind turbines that will allow for the identification and diagnosis of defects in the main components of these structures (drivetrain, generator, tower, and foundation), as well as the prediction of their evolution for predictive maintenance.
The system will be based on strategically placed sensors in different parts of the wind turbine. Its main innovation lies in the use of artificial neural networks for the control of the various mechanical elements of the turbine through the electrical values of the generator, and for monitoring the state of the tower and foundation using sensors that do not affect the operation or structure, allowing for the detection of possible anomalies.
The AEROTWIN project started with a kick-off meeting on December 2, 2022, marking the beginning of the objectives and tasks planned for the first quarter. Upon completion of the project, the consortium formed by ITER and UPV will validate the AERO-TWIN system in a real operational environment, using the wind turbines that the Institute has in operation in Tenerife.
Once developed, the system is expected to be commercialized as a service for companies responsible for the operation and maintenance of wind farms. Among its main impacts, it is expected to positively influence decision-making and minimize downtime by detecting failures at an early stage, as well as performing planned and optimized maintenance to save costs. This becomes particularly relevant as turbine capacity increases, leading to higher costs associated with downtime and repairs
The total budget for the project amounts to 482,239.13 euros, of which 52% corresponds to ITER and 48% to UPV. The AERO-TWIN project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the State Research Agency, as well as by the European Union under the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan and Spain’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR).
