Onyx InSight partners with Castrol
08/04/2020
Onyx InSight, provider of predictive maintenance to the wind industry, and Castrol, lubricants expert, have embarked on a multi-phase study designed to uncover the potential of combining oil and vibration data in the accurate monitoring of wind turbine health.With the objective of bringing the most innovative and advanced predictive maintenance solution to the wind industry market, Onyx InSight and Castrol have completed laboratory testing to measure the effectiveness of sensors in relation to the changing conditions of oil in a simulated wind turbine environment. The tests were carried out using a range of oil sensor technologies, with each sensor type tested in multiple oils from three separate vendors to ensure comprehensive results.
The second phase is now in progress and has seen a rigorous programme of oil sensor installations in a commercial wind farm. Data from the field shows excellent correlation between oil sensor and vibration condition monitoring system (CMS) outputs relating to a developing gearbox bearing failure, giving operators even more confidence in the detection algorithm. The trials are helping Onyx InSight and Castrol refine new approaches for an advanced, integrated condition monitoring system by combining oil condition data with data from vibration sensors and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems.
The pioneering study comes in response to the industry’s need to increase efficiencies to help to lower the levelised cost of energy. Onyx InSight and Castrol believe that combining oil data with vibration data offers significant diagnostic advantages that improve maintenance planning across a turbine or fleet when deployed together with machine learning and engineering expertise.
Phil Booker, International Application Engineer, Castrol, said: “As we work towards a more sustainable future, an important part of our strategy is to ensure that renewable energy sources, such as wind power, can achieve maximum efficiency and performance. We have been at the forefront of supplying best-in-class carbon-neutral lubricants to extend wind turbine lifecycles. Now we are working with Onyx InSight to ensure that operation and maintenance (O&M) teams have the knowledge they need to help propel growth in wind energy.”
The study comes as Onyx InSight prepares to launch the first in a series of ‘digitalisation’ reports, which incorporate key findings from the combined oil sensor study along with additional research, to help companies rationalise the volume of data in the wind industry and unlock the benefits of digitalisation. The white paper will be available to download at https://onyxinsight.com shortly.
