CONDITION INSPECTIONS & MONITORING

Natural Power offers valuable assistance to wind farm owners, insurers and lenders by providing high-quality wind turbine inspection and auditing services. Throughout the life-cycle of a wind farm project our mechanical, electrical and control system engineers inspect and report on the physical condition of wind farm assets, and in particular highlight any safety-related issues that need immediate attention. Our engineers are knowledgeable of the requirements for effective asset service and maintenance and expertly report on the performance of wind farm service and maintenance providers.

We offer periodic inspections of both onshore and offshore turbines at various stages in the project life-cycle. Routinely we offer inspection services during:

• Manufacture
• Erection
• Post commissioning
• End of warranty
• Failure investigation

Natural Power provides a full visual inspection of the following components, complete with functionality checks where appropriate:

• Cabling
• Tower ladder access and safety systems
• Tower paintwork
• Blade pitch systems and control
• Internal drive-train gearbox endoscopic inspections
• Vibration analysis of the gearbox
• Alignment checks of the high-speed shaft drive train
• Gearbox oil and pitch hydraulic oil sampling and analysis
• Detailed external blade inspection using a rope access team
• Detailed external structure inspections above ground height
• Visual inspection of the internal main bearing components including grease analysis
• Thermographic and visual inspection of HV switchgear, electrical cabinets, transformers and cabling
• Other more specialised services as requested by the wind farm operator

Of paramount importance to all site owners is the safety of personnel involved with running the wind farm and the safety of the public. There is an increasing requirement to check the structural integrity of the turbine as well as auditing the work practices of maintenance personnel. Natural Power inspects the fall-arrest and climbing equipment within the turbines as well as checking the condition of lifting gear and pressure vessel equipment. In the UK we check safety-critical systems against LOLER, PUWER, electrical safety and other regulations as applicable.

In addition to turbines we also audit the safety of electrical systems within on-site substations and external turbine transformers. Natural Power has a number of in-house Senior Authorised Persons who are fully qualified to work on high-voltage switchgear and transformers.