Wind farms play a crucial role in renewable energy production, taking advantage of the power of wind to generate electricity. They help mitigate climate change and promote sustainable clean energy sources for a greener future.
Some wind farms are built on the seashore, which means the storms, waves, and salt erosion may cause damage in the long run. And more than that, the busy vessel traffic in wind farm areas may also need to be monitored for safety reasons. With the help of different types of unmanned vehicles and AI vision, the challenges can be tackled smoothly.
Turning the Risky Job to UAV Maneuvering
With AI image analysis technology, the drone fleet can quickly identify observation targets, making it suitable for safety inspections of engineering facilities and further defect detection after the start of operation. UAVs also play a crucial role in improving worker safety during inspections. By reducing the reliance on manual inspections, UAVs mitigate the risk of worker casualties, elevate the precision of inspections, and acquire data in a secure and protected working environment.
Our Value
Revolutionizing Wind Turbine Inspections with SoM Technology
To build drones, choosing System on Module (SoM) over SBC for the form factor, modularity, and customization are the keys. Most importantly, when the module needs an upgrade, the system may only require partial inspection for the new certification, which vastly lowers the cost of the solution.
Using SoM offers many advantages, including compact size, upgradability, and customization. For system integrators, choosing SoM allows developers to upgrade the module easily along with CPU and memory, speeding up the time to market for newer products, without the need for a complicated overhaul. One more thing, SoM is more customization friendly. End users can order the desired modules to match various baseboards to meet specific demands.
Unlock the Potential of Intelligent UAVs with Our Cutting-Edge System on Module
Here, we recommend the high-performance CEM561 COM Express Type 6 module powered by the 13th/12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and the baseboard, CEB94021. Our SoM serves as a key component in powering smart UAVs. Integrate our SoM into the drones to leverage high-resolution cameras and advanced sensors, empowering them to quickly detect defects and facilitate prompt repair actions, ultimately preventing future malfunctions.
The CEB94021 COM Express Type 6 baseboard measures 95mm x 125mm, which is just the right size for an industrial UAV to carry cameras or sensors with four USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0. It offers two full-size PCI Express Mini Card slots and a SIM slot to enable wireless and timeless connectivity to report any defects. The rich I/O includes two GbE LAN ports that can connect LiDAR to co-work with cameras and sensors to maximize accuracy, never missing any damage.
As for the module, the CEM561 powered by the 13th/12th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and dual DDR4 up to 64GB is capable of running AI algorithms to identify damages, making the workflow easier. Not to mention the wide operating temperature from -40°C to +85°C, the inspection can kick off anytime.
Monitoring Wind Farm Areas by AI Vision
AI vision can play a crucial role in the processing of building wind farms. Offshore wind farms can cover large areas of open water and hence present potential hazards to navigation. Increased traffic may increase the risk of collisions, especially when it’s unclear which vessel or watercraft has the right of way. Therefore, with the deployment of durable edge AI vision systems, they can help monitor the activities of the wind farm.
Our Value
AI Vision Safeguards the Building Process of a Wind Farm
Deploying AI vision technology to monitor the activity of vessels in the vicinity of offshore wind farms, including workboats, patrol vessels, and transport ships. This ensures that only authorized vessels can access specific zones, thereby ensuring the safety of construction and operations. As the unauthorized vessels enter the area, the patrol ship could intercept them in case of an accident. Also, the control center can monitor the area in real-time.
Non-Stop Monitoring to Aim for 100% Safety with Our IP67 Edge AI System
Designed for AI vision use cases in harsh environments, the AIE800-904-FL-DC from Axiomtek has been favored for its high performance and ruggedness. Powered by the NVIDIA® Jetson Xavier™ NX with 384-core NVIDIA Volta™ GPU with 48 Tensor Cores, the AIE800-904-FL-DC is capable of running multiple AI models at the same time to save cost and time for operation. The GPU-accelerated processing is undeniably suitable for real-time monitoring that requires AI vision capability.
To achieve a high level of protection and durability, the sealed chassis and M-12 type I/O ports enable an IP67-rated water-resistant level. With one PoE port and two USB ports, it can connect to high-resolution cameras for monitoring. Moreover, there are four N-jack antenna openings with a waterproof design, which can provide low latency information for the control center via 4G LTE and GPS.
Installed on a wind turbine platform, it can protect against moisture. The rugged chassis also ensures the prevention of corrosion, while maintaining functionality, longevity, and reliability.
Offshore wind energy infrastructure faces numerous challenges from turbine inspections to vessel traffic. Unmanned vehicles and AI vision emerge as indispensable solutions. They enhance safety, reduce costs, and extend the lifespan of wind farms, making renewable energy production more efficient and sustainable for a greener future.
