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Maintenance and
Inspection of Wind Turbines Periodic inspection and preventive maintenance of
wind turbines and power receiving and transforming facilities

Periodic inspection and preventive maintenance of wind turbines and power receiving and transforming facilities

Hearing the phrase "inspecting a wind power plant," it can be hard to picture what that entails. In fact, some people will probably even think that since wind turbines are always turning, they do not need to be inspected at all.
A close-to-home example that makes wind turbine inspections easy to picture is vehicle inspections. High-quality daily inspections lead to a long-term power supply.
To support the safe and stable operation of wind power generation facilities, we provide a comprehensive range of inspection and maintenance services for wind turbines—which are up high and have complex structures—and also continuous monitoring of their condition, and of the condition of the receiving and transforming facilities as well. We focus effort on thorough inspections based on laws and regulations, and preventive maintenance with a view to long-term operation.

Periodic Inspections of Wind Turbines

Periodic inspections of power plants are extremely important for maintaining equipment safety and ensuring long-term stable operation.
Our engineers conduct thorough inspections based on solid skills and experience, and strive to improve the reliability of power plants and provide the local communities with peace of mind.

Inspecting a lightning rod
Lightning rods play an important role in protecting the equipment inside wind turbines from damage due to lightning strikes.
This role means they are installed at the highest point, so inspecting them is a scary job.
However, neglecting to do so will delay the discovery of rust, corrosion, loose connections, and poor earthing, preventing them from working properly and potentially leading to damage to the equipment.
So, careful inspection is required to ensure that the lightning rods are properly maintaining a discharge path.

Patrol Inspections and Periodic Inspections of Power Receiving and Transforming Equipment

We carry out periodic inspections of power receiving and transforming equipment based on the Electricity Business Act and related laws and regulations.
If a malfunction occurs in power receiving and transforming equipment, all the wind turbines connected to it could become inoperable. So, we conduct periodic inspections appropriately to ensure the safety of electrical facilities and prevent accidents before they occur.

Inspecting power receiving and transforming equipment
To avoid the risk of electric shock, the technicians check the appearance and operating state from outside the cover.
The inspection points include the operating states of the moisture-control heaters, the condition of the terminals, and checking for abnormal noises or odors, and they thoroughly perform point-and-call checks for each one so as to carry out reliable checks for each item.

Patrol Inspections of Wind Turbines

As part of the statutory and safety inspections, we conduct monthly patrol inspections for early detection of anomalies and accident prevention. In order to quickly notice abnormal conditions, it is important to conduct thorough inspections on a daily basis and keep track of the equipment's condition.

Inspecting the blades and tower
Blades are critical components that rotate by capturing the wind, and surface cracks or wear can reduce both power generation efficiency and safety.
We also check the towers for the condition of the connections and paint and for corrosion, to maintain the integrity of the structure as a whole.

Preventive Maintenance

To detect signs of equipment deterioration and abnormalities early and prevent breakdowns, we conduct preventive maintenance using ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic-particle testing (MT), vibration measurements, endoscopic inspections, and more.

Performing ultrasonic testing to check the tower connection bolts. This testing is used to assess the internal condition of bolts—something that cannot be checked from their external appearance. It consists of a detailed inspection using ultrasonic waves to check for defects like flaws and cracks inside.

Condition Monitoring Maintenance

Wind turbines generate electricity using the power of the wind, but since natural winds are irregular, they cannot generate at full power all the time.
If a problem arises in an internal part of rotating equipment such as step-up gears, we do not shut the turbine down immediately. Instead, we keep it running in an appropriate state while monitoring its condition.

Inspecting the rotational sound of the generator using a mechanic's stethoscope. A mechanic's stethoscope can pick up minute sounds and vibrations transmitted from inside the machine, enabling early detection of abnormalities like bearing wear and rubbing sounds that are difficult to spot from the outside.

Minor Repairs

Wind turbines contain lots of electrical and mechanical components, and the failure of even a single one can disable power generation. We use our advanced technical capabilities to carry out maintenance work and investigate malfunctions, and propose a variety of repair options.

Inspecting electrical circuits using a tester. Inspectors check circuit voltage conditions and continuity, measuring things sequentially to see if there are any voltage drops or abnormal resistance values. Through this process, they can accurately identify faulty components and decide on the appropriate part replacements and repairs.

Periodic Voluntary Inspections

For periodic self-inspections, we support operators (installers) with everything from preparing the relevant documents and establishing the organizational structure to conducting the inspections and undergoing periodic safety management audits.

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