Blade Certification

The aerodynamic shape of a wind turbine blade is a principle factor for wind turbine performance, wind turbine control and Return On Investment (ROI).  Deviation and variance in blades can lead to lower-performance and higher maintenance costs.  Today, production blades are not typically inspected to ensure that the end product matches design specifications.  Blades are assembled on turbines without testing and certification that each blade is aerodynamically correct.

The implications are staggering.  Turbine owner's Return On Investment (ROI) can be adversely affected due to lower power generation, and higher maintenance costs.  Similar implications apply to insurers and those financing the capital investment.  The risk claims payout and investments not meeting their minimum return become higher.

To address this issue, Vesper has developed a cost effective inspection system.  Vesper's rapid blade inspection system makes it practical to 'certify' that every blade is produced correctly, ensuring blade specifications and adherence to the engineered design.  The Vesper Rapid Inspection System (VRIS) can measure a 40meter blade in 15 minutes. In addition, a very high level of detail and resolution is achieved.

Vesper now offers this innovative certification process, the first blade certification in the market, providing additional value to the turbine market, both on and off shore.  To learn more, click here.

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Rapid inspection also forms the basis for implementing statistical quality control techniques. The lack of systematic feedback and process control is a critical shortcoming of current blade production and an excellent opportunity for blade manufacturers and blade development companies to lower blade costs while raising blade quality.

With an increasingly competitive turbine market, a shift towards product quality is becoming a key differentiator between turbine providers. The rapidly growing off-shore turbine market, where maintenance and downtime costs are often ten times higher than that of 'on-shore' turbines, blade certification and wind turbine testing holds even more value.

Want to compare a series of blades to understand your Cpk, Ck, Pk, and more. Vesper has the process to do just that