Wind Turbines Monitoring

Thank you for your applications!

the startup challenge by

Wind turbine monitoring systems are a key factor in extending the useful life of the equipment, as they can collect the enormous amount of data that is needed to develop diagnostic and prognostic models, making it possible to transition from corrective or planned maintenance to maintenance schedules that are based on the condition of the equipment to the early detection of faults.

An essential part of these monitoring systems is sensors and a monitoring system to measure a variety of parameters associated with a turbine’s components. These sensors feed into the turbine control and alert system and the diagnostic systems. Iberdrola’s new Startup Challenge, once again part of its PERSEO – International Startup Program, aims to find solutions to improve these sensors and systems.

What is the Challenge about?

Challenge

Today, Iberdrola is the world leader in renewable energies and the leading wind power producer, with an installed capacity of more than 16 GW in onshore wind and 572 MW in offshore wind.

This is why Iberdrola is looking for solutions that will help to improve wind farm monitoring systems, with a special interest in solutions that can be implemented quickly, easily and inexpensively in its older wind farms.

Requirements

1) Low cost solutions/sensors
2) Low-powered or self-powered
3) Can be implemented in existing farms with turbines from different suppliers (Special consideration will be given to the installation speed & making as few modifications as possible to the existing hardware)
4) Few wiring requirements (power/communications); wireless and autonomous sensors — that do not need external power — will be appreciated
5) Using long-distance wireless data transmission protocols (e.g. LoraWAN), which enable centralized data collection at the substation or the operations and maintenance base
6) On-edge data processing to reduce the bandwidth needed to transmit the data
7) Open interfaces for the post-processing and sending of the raw data
8) Multifunctional sensors that combine, for instance, temperature, pressure, humidity and triaxial vibration data

Categories

Your solution should fall into one or more of the following categories:

1) Sensors/systems for monitoring the components of the drive train (main bearing and multiplier) such as vibration sensors or axle torque measurement sensors and accelerometers
2) Low-cost wireless sensors for measuring the temperature of rotor bearings
3) Wireless sensors for measuring gear tooth wear, etc.
4) Wireless acoustic sensors/systems for monitoring the breakage of components inside the rotor
5) Low-cost wireless sensors for monitoring the structural behavior of foundations by capturing tilt, tension and low-frequency vibrations (<100 Hz)

Pilot Project

The winner of the Challenge will sign a collaboration and testing agreement PERSEO, Iberdrola's VC arm. Iberdrola will assume the costs of the pilot project & will provide the winner with the necessary technical support, as well as a real environment and data to test the solution, giving them access to equipment, infrastructure, high-tech sites and joint work areas.

New Clients & Investors

If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola will add solutions to its service territory. Besides, PERSO, the Venture Capital arm of Iberdrola, might consider investing in your solution as well.

Scalability of Business

For the winner of this Startup Challenge, Iberdrola offers the possibility to scale their technology into more of Iberdrola's regions and assets.

Timeline

1 July 2020
Applications Open

15 September 2020
Application Deadline

Sept – Oct 2020
Analysis of Proposals

October 2020

Winner Announcement

Contact Iberdrola
IberdrolaChallenge@iberdrola.es

FAQ

See our responses to some of the most common questions or view our Terms & Conditions.

What solutions are you looking for?

Iberdrola is looking for solutions that will help to improve wind farm monitoring systems, with a special interest in solutions that can be implemented quickly, easily and inexpensively in its older wind farms.

The main characteristics that will be taken into consideration are as follows:

• Low-cost solutions/sensors
• Low-power/self-powered solutions
• Solutions that can be implemented in operating wind farms with turbines from different suppliers (the speed of installation and minimal modifications to the existing hardware will also be positively evaluated)
• Solutions that have few wiring requirements (power/communications)
• Autonomous wireless sensors (that do not need external power) will be particularly positively evaluated
• Long-distance wireless data transmission protocols, such as LoraWAN, which permit centralized data collection at the substation or the O&M base
• On-edge data processing to reduce the bandwidth needed to transmit the data
• Open interfaces for post-processing and sending raw data
• Multifunction sensors, e.g., ones combining temperature, pressure, humidity and triaxial vibrations

Proposals must fall into one or more of the following categories:

1) Innovative sensors and systems for monitoring the components of the drive train (main bearing and multiplier). In this category, vibration sensors, axle torque measurement sensors, accelerometers (including those that can go inside planetary gear trains in multipliers) will be considered.
2) Low-cost wireless sensors for measuring the temperature of rotor bearings.
3) Wireless sensors for measuring gear tooth wear, etc.
4) Wireless acoustic sensors and innovative monitoring systems for monitoring the breakage of components inside the rotor.
5) Low-cost wireless sensors for monitoring the structural behavior of foundations by capturing tilt, tension and low-frequency vibrations. (<100 Hz). Submissions should include a detailed description of the proposed solutions and any supporting information regarding feasibility and cost effectiveness.

What are the Challenge's key benefits for me?

There are many reasons why you should apply for this Challenge:

• The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract with Iberdrola
• The Challenge offers to test your technology in Iberdrola's networks
• If the pilot succeeds, Iberdrola will add solutions to its current portfolio
• The Challenge offers the possibility to scale your technology into more of Iberdrola's regions and assets
• Perseo, the VC arm of Iberdrola, might consider an investment

What do I need to know about the Pilot Project?

The winner of the challenge will sign a partnership contract and be able to test our their solution.

Furthermore, Iberdrola will:

• bear the costs of such collaboration and testing activities
• provide the technical support to test the solution proposed, granting access to equipment, teams, infrastructures, high-tech locations, and co-working areas
• provide a real environment and data to test the solution

The pilot project will be implemented in collaboration with specialist technicians from Iberdrola's network area.

Can I submit more than one proposal?

You are welcome to submit more than one proposal, just make sure to submit a separate application form for each.

When is the application deadline?

The application period for this challenge ends on 15 September 2020.

How will the applications be evaluated?

All proposals will be evaluated internally by Perseo and/or by employees of the Iberdrola Group.