Wind turbine inspection by drone — blades, nacelles & masts
We carry out visual inspections of wind turbine blades, nacelles and towers using drones. Rapid identification of cracks, erosion and lightning damage -- without rope-access technicians and without halting energy production.
We carry out visual inspections of wind turbines using a drone equipped with a 42 Mpx camera and optical zoom. The drone approaches the rotor blades, nacelle and tower at a distance of 3-5 metres, capturing images at a resolution that allows identification of cracks, delamination, leading-edge erosion and lightning damage.
This service is aimed at wind farm operators, turbine service providers and insurance companies. Drone inspection is 3-5 times faster than inspection using rope-access technicians and does not require a turbine shutdown -- the blades only need to be locked in the inspection position.
Every inspection concludes with a photographic report in which each identified defect is located on a blade/nacelle/tower diagram, described and classified according to a severity scale (1 -- monitor, 2 -- repair at next service, 3 -- urgent repair). The report enables advance planning of inspections and repairs.
Inspection without turbine shutdown
The blades only need to be locked in the inspection position. The turbine does not need to be disconnected from the grid -- minimising energy production losses.
3-5 times faster than rope-access methods
A drone inspection of one turbine takes 1-2 hours. Rope-access technicians need 6-8 hours plus equipment setup time for the same scope.
Defect imagery from 3-5 metres distance
The drone camera captures cracks narrower than 1 mm, leading-edge erosion, lightning strike marks and laminate delamination at close range.
Report with defect severity classification
Each defect is located on a turbine diagram, described and classified: 1 -- monitor, 2 -- repair at service, 3 -- urgent repair.
- 1
Rotor blade inspection after the windy season
Inspection of all three blades for cracks, delamination, leading-edge erosion and lightning damage -- defect classification report within 3 days.
- 2
Nacelle and housing inspection
Assessment of the nacelle housing condition, lightning protection system, seals and externally visible mechanical components.
- 3
Periodic inspection of an entire wind farm
Planned inspection of 10-20 turbines over 3-5 days -- a consolidated report for the farm operator with repair prioritisation.
- 4
Post-incident inspection after lightning strike
Rapid drone inspection within 24-48 hours of the event. Damage documentation for the manufacturer, insurer and repair planning.
How the project works
- 1
Scope and schedule agreement
We establish the number of turbines, inspection scope (blades, nacelle, tower) and schedule. We coordinate site access with the operator.
- 2
Turbine preparation
The operator locks the blades in the inspection position (each blade is rotated to the 6 o'clock position). The turbine does not need to be disconnected from the grid.
- 3
Drone inspection
The pilot flies around each blade, nacelle and tower, capturing images from 3-5 m distance. One turbine takes approx. 1-2 hours.
- 4
Image analysis and report
We review the images, identify defects, classify them and prepare a photographic report with a defect map. Typical turnaround: 3-5 working days.
What the client receives
- Photographic PDF report with location, description and classification of each defect
- Blade/nacelle/tower diagram with defects marked
- High-resolution images of every identified defect
- Summary with repair prioritisation (monitor / repair / urgent)
- Raw flight images at full resolution on a data carrier
Area of operation
We carry out wind turbine inspections across West Pomeranian, Pomeranian and Greater Poland voivodeships — regions with the highest concentration of wind farms in Poland. We cover Szczecin, Słupsk, Koszalin, Gdańsk, Poznań, Bydgoszcz and Toruń. By arrangement we accept commissions nationwide.
Planning a wind turbine inspection?
Get in touch and we will prepare a drone inspection quote tailored to the size of your wind farm and scope of survey.