eMIP-REACT Remote AttendanCe Technology. An Integrated System for Remote Inspection and Maintenance of remote installations.

Operation and maintenance decisions for wind turbines are today made based on information from manned inspections and from the fixed instruments of condition monitoring systems. Costly maintenance and downtime contribute to the fact that wind energy has not yet reached grid parity. Unnecessary maintenance actions due to false error reports or missing information contribute to this. The planned solution is a system for remote inspection and maintenance of wind turbines for significant reduction in the operational costs. This R&D project seeks to close the identified knowledge gaps associated with efficiency and effectiveness of the mechanical system, which is a final hurdle before the product is ready for commercialization in the market place. The system will be developed based on best-in-class knowledge on surveillance systems (NAAS), electronic system (Simpro)(NTNU, not focused in this IP project), aluminum production (HAP), forming technology (Lena Metall) and design for functionally, and manufacturing (NTNU). Extensive knowledge for the application from energy producers/distributors (TrønderEnergi and StatNett) are matched with know-how from a a wind-turbine test and research facility provider (Viva). The market for remote monitoring is growing exponentially; for example, within 2015 there is a market of more than 12.000 new wind turbine installations alone. This market is still premature since the main efforts have been placed on developing and building wind turbines rather than on service operations such as monitoring and maintenance concepts. Additionally the markets for, offshore operation, rail-road and road tunnel surveillance are significant. This innovation and its associated methodology will be on an advanced international level; currently, there are no known major players or competitive products in this market. Combining multi-disciplinary competence, including electronics, design, manufacturing and materials, will put the project in position to deliver a unique robotic product. Were have developed many project prototypes . One of them has been installed in a test turbine at VIVA, to gain experience from real life. Three new prototypes were produced together with NTNU, SIMPRO, Hydal and Lena Metall. The first prototype was shown in Paris at EWEA in november 2015 with excellent response from users and Customers. Work with prototypes implementing new functionalities continues according to plan , experience from the VIVA tests and user interactions. New experiments for optimization of the construction of rails are being conducted at NTNU, IPM and the partners Hydal and Lena. The Ph.D. and post.doc. student published a paper at the 19th ESAFORM on this. NTNU-ES-students have been working with paralell activities strengthening the project during spring 2016, e.g. presentation stand at Technoport 2016. A paper describing how reliability of the system was increased through use of Bluetooth Low Energy and Slave Microcontrollers was presented at Safecomp 2016. During the spring of 2017 the final prototype was being installed in an Enercon E-70 wind turbine at Bessakerfjellet. Several articles were published (Cirp Cranfield, Esaform Dublin and Energy Procedia). These were related to experiments on the wheels, a positioning system with the rails, distortions with different production of rails and experiences from a wind turbine pilot test. A sales and marketing manager has been hired full-time in the related company for commercialization of the concept. At the end of May, beginning of june the concept was marketed in London together with Innovation Norway. New experiences were gained from the Bessakerfjell-test. A newly published study done by Impello commissioned by Nowitech, shows large economical benefits for the wind-energy-industry by utelizing the emip-react concept. Main ownership and management of the company for commercialization has now been transferred to professional owners/managers.

Operation and maintenance decisions for wind turbines are today made based on information from manned inspections and from the fixed instruments of condition monitoring systems. Costly maintenance and downtime contribute to the fact that wind energy has n ot yet reached grid parity. Unnecessary maintenance actions due to false error reports or missing information contribute to this. The planned solution is a system for remote inspection and maintenance of wind turbines for significant reduction in the oper ational costs. This R&D project seeks to close the identified knowledge gaps associated with efficiency and effectiveness of the mechanical system, which is a final hurdle before the product is ready for commercialization in the market place. The system w ill be developed based on best-in-class knowledge on surveillance systems (NAAS), electronic system (NTNU, not focused in this IP project), aluminum production (HAP), forming technology (Lena Metall) and design for functionally, and manufacturing (NTNU). The market for remote monitoring is growing exponentially; for example, within 2015 there is a market of more than 12.000 new wind turbine installations alone. This market is still premature since the main efforts have been placed on developing and buildi ng wind turbines rather than on service operations such as monitoring and maintenance concepts. Additionally the markets for, offshore operation, railroad and road tunnel surveillance are significant. This innovation and its associated methodology will be on an advanced international level; currently, there are no known major players or competitive products in this market. Combining multi-disciplinary competence, including electronics, design, manufacturing and materials, will put the project in position to deliver a unique robotic product.