Renewable energies company Acciona Energía has signed an agreement with US-based industrial software firm Sentient Science to help extend the operational life of global wind turbine fleet.
Under the terms of the deal, the Acciona will assess the possible use and validate the Sentient’s DigitalClone Live technology.
If feasible, Acciona will use the software to detect potential key components failures in wind turbine years before they occur. This is expected to reduce energy cost for the company.
Acciona Energía CEO Rafael Mateo said: “We are very proud to be the first major European wind power operator to use the Sentient Science’s reputed technology in our assets.
“This represents a big step forward in our Turbine for Life program to obtain the maximum performance from our turbines and be ever more competitive.”
The solution can be used for full turbine monitoring, testing, life prediction and life extension actions for the critical failure components, Acciona said.
Sentient Science CEO and president Ward Thomas said: “Digitalization of ACCIONA’s fleet with DigitalClone Live will provide life extension and lower their cost of energy.
Through life extension supply chain actions, Energía plans to have 50-year life machines.
The DigitalClone Live simulation technology features on software designed to create digital clones of each turbine model.
Based on operational data provided by the wind power operator, the technology allows for prediction of the risk of current and future failure of the main components and their expected working life.
Image: Officials from Acciona Energía and Sentient Science. Photo: courtesy of Acciona Energía.