A Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for use on wind turbine towers has been successfully trialled at ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre using their 27 metres high wind turbine training tower.
Invisotech, providers of inspection and analytical solutions for high-value assets, has developed and successfully trialled the ROV at a series of field trials around the UK, and most recently at the Blyth-based facility. This particular ROV was fitted with a Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) probe and high-definition video equipment to carry out detailed remote inspections of weld seams providing interpretive analysis in terms of potential maintenance requirements ORE Catapult’s training tower was used to demonstrate the operability and effectiveness of the sensor in monitoring for defects in a real-life environment and was supported as part of an ERDF funded project -Renewable Energy Technology Accelerator (RETA) programme -which has been set up to collaborate with North East SMEs to develop new technologies and services in the offshore renewables sector.