A start-up with University of Bristol roots has signed a deal with energy giant Enel to help keep its 9,000 turbines spinning.
Perceptual Robotics use autonomous drones and artificial intelligence to detect damage in wind turbines early.
The company, founded by three Bristol alumni in 2016, secured a deal for an undisclosed sum to inspect turbines owned by Enel Green Power, a subsidiary of Enel, which is one of the biggest energy companies in the world.
Enel Green Power will use the data to carry out preventative maintenance - reducing costs and turbine stoppages while increasing safety, it said.
Kostas Karachalios, chief executive of Perceptual Robotics, who studied for a masters of engineering (MEng) at Bristol, said: “The task of inspecting and maintaining these structures is becoming ever-more challenging, as the industry is increasingly recognising.
“There is a clear need for faster, safer inspections that produce high-quality data in order to conduct preventive maintenance and reduce the need for technicians to attend to turbines. Perceptual Robotics is delighted to be offering this unique service to Enel Green Power.”
Matteo Cantù, head of innovation industries 4.0 at Enel Green Power, said the technology could have a "relevant impact" on the future cost of turbine blade repairs. He said: “Perceptual Robotics was able to work with us to develop and finalise a proof of concept (POC) which is currently being implemented in the wind farm fleet."
The announcement comes as new research by Perceptual Robotics, which secured £1.6m in a funding round last year, claims its technology is 14% better at detecting damage than expert humans carrying out the same inspections.
The damage analysis research was carried out over the past year and released by the company, alongside the University of Bristol and assurance and risk firm DNV. Government body Innovate UK part-funded the research, which built on a previous two-year long project looking at Perceptual Robotics’ impact on offshore wind farms.
Mr Karachalios added: “To have such clear data that shows the value of fully automated inspections proves the way forward in turbine investigation will be via robotics.”
Tom Richardson, professor of aerial robotics at the University of Bristol, supervised the founders of Perceptual Robotics during their time at Bristol and became a board member when the company was launched.
He said the business would play a "key role" in the UK's transition to renewables and the green energy revolution. “This new contract with Enel is a really exciting step in growth and development," he added. "There are other really exciting developments coming up over the next six months so watch this space!”
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