Applications and platforms in digitalisation of wind farm O&M - community feedback and survey results

Achieving performance optimisation and cost savings by advanced data analysis techniques and improved digital communication is a significant focus of wind farm operators and research organisations often framed under the terms IoT or Industry 4.0. Within the research project 'ModernWindABS', Fraunhofer IEE has conducted a twofold approach to identify new applications using modern methods that will innovate operation and maintenance processes. Based on a systematic structure of O&M processes and mathematic methods, innovative applications were identified and evaluated in expert workshops. Separately a survey among wind industry professionals with the focus on innovative applications through digital platforms has been conducted in partnership with German industry associations. From both approaches, applications, that enable failure risk monitoring, turn out as the highest priorities from the professionals consulted. Additionally, the survey results yield insights on participants' expectations on benefits and financial contribution per organisational role and preferences regarding the platform setup and points out gaps between these expectations and current platform service designs. It further identifies the main barriers to the broader use of platforms, of which organisational and legal obstacles seem to outweigh technical problems.