iWindCr Wireless Sensor System for Corrosion Detection and Monitoring of Offshore Wind Turbine Structures

Abstract

The iWindCr system, designed and developed to comprise miniaturised corrosion sensors to form a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), has been piloted in one of the 116 offshore wind turbines located in the south region of the UK. The iWindCr system that was equipped with low power-low current sensor interface incorporating the Open Circuit Potential (OCP) and Zero Resistance Ammeter (ZRA) electrochemical technique analysis and the Internet of Things (IoT) was employed to detect and/or monitor electrochemical activities in relation to corrosion on the surface of the M72 stud, part of the monopole (MP) foundation and transition piece (TP) flanged connection of the wind turbine. Through the utilisation of the corrosion threshold database that has been extensively generated also through this project for various materials and environment of wind turbine components, the state of corrosion or damage of the M72 stud can be determined. The provision of the corrosion threshold data could also allow for life prediction.