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Our client, a leading player in the wind energy industry, was able to manage its wind turbine fleets thanks to the implementation of the Internet of Things. Our engineers have developed a system in which sensors on the turbines collect data on the condition of the wind turbines, which is transmitted to a centralised system. This system analyses the data and generates reports to optimise maintenance.
The client is a company that plays an important role in the development of renewable energy and the fight against climate change. The company manufactures, sells, installs and maintains wind turbines. The company is the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer and has installed more than 173 GW of wind turbines in 88 countries, preventing 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions.
The client, as a leading player in the wind energy sector, aims to maximize the performance of its wind turbines and minimize downtime. However, the company has encountered a range of issues related to turbine inspection data management:
Computools has developed and implemented a comprehensive IoT-based management system to optimise the handling of wind turbine inspection reports. It includes:
The use of real-time sensors contributed to a 5% increase in mean time between failures (MTBF), reduced operational costs and time with less number of involved personal. This, in turn, led to an increase in annual electricity generation and revenue from electricity sales. The client also increased safety by removing the necessity of high-altitude work tasks.
The client was looking for a solution to manage wind turbine inspection data. They held a tender, inviting proposals from various companies, including off-the-shelf solutions. We ran a pilot project that demonstrated our skills and fit with the client’s requirements. Different people from the client’s company were involved in the decision making process, ensuring a thorough selection. Our experience in developing similar systems and knowledge of wind energy also played a role.
We immediately established open communication using Slack and Jira. At first we focused on centralised storage of all reports (CIR & BIR) and automatic extraction of key data from them. The client appreciated the open communication and co-operation. The pilot project showed our competence. We were quick to address his key concerns.
In the end, we were chosen due to our experience, pilot project and open approach to work.
The wind turbine manufacturer, our client, faced a significant challenge in managing their wind turbine inspection data. This data is crucial for preventive maintenance and keeping their turbines running smoothly.
Our client explored various solutions to address their challenges. Initially, they considered the possibility of finding an off-the-shelf solution. However, after careful consideration of their needs, they ultimately decided to engage an external contractor for the development of the system.
Computools, as a partner for the development and implementation of a comprehensive data management system, assessed the client’s requirements, developed a technical specification, designed the system, and then proceeded with its development and implementation. Throughout the project, our engineers made several key decisions:
Our team proposed a solution based on the implementation of sensor devices to help the client monitor the condition of wind turbines, predict breakdowns, and address them promptly. After identifying the client’s needs, our engineers developed the solution. To date, Computools provides technical support for the system and assists in its further enhancement. Both parties are discussing the possibility of expanding collaboration in developing new IoT solutions.
The new data management system enabled the client to enhance the efficiency of managing their wind turbine park and improve their financial metrics.
During the development of the data management system, Computools placed significant emphasis on design considerations. The goal was to create an intuitive and user-friendly interface, enabling users to work with data easily and efficiently.
Detailed profiles to guide solutions for turbine data management.
Hierarchical structure outlining seamless access to inspection reports and analytics
Schematic representations for efficient layout and interaction planning of the system
Streamlined design for users to interact seamlessly with turbine inspection data
Java
Java served as the primary programming language for the project. Its platform independence, robustness and extensive ecosystem of libraries and frameworks made it suitable for developing the various components of the wind energy optimisation solution.
JSON
JSON was used as a data interchange format, particularly for the CIRs. JSON's lightweight and human-readable structure made it ideal for representing complex data, ensuring efficient data exchange between different system parts.
Gson
Gson, a Java library for working with JSON data, was instrumental in parsing and processing JSON content within the project. It provided seamless serialisation and deserialisation of JSON data into Java objects, simplifying data handling and manipulation.
MSSQL DB
MSSQL DB was employed as the project's relational database management system. It facilitated structured data storage and retrieval, ensuring data integrity and enabling efficient querying of the information collected from the wind farms. This choice also allowed for seamless integration with other Microsoft technologies if required.
The project was managed using the Scrum methodology, chosen for its structured and iterative approach to project management. Key aspects of Scrum were incorporated to ensure efficient planning, execution, and adaptation throughout the project lifecycle. Scrum was selected for its ability to provide clear roles, responsibilities and sprint-based planning, which facilitated effective collaboration and project progress tracking.
The Computools team was very rapidely operational despite the complexity of the situation and the need for the team to adapt to our development methodologies. The Computools team could also work very remotely with very good inter-communication with the SBFinance team ensuring good efficiency despite off-shoring.
Computools are experts and act professionally, with lots of guidance on technical recommendations and with easy to understand explanations of what the technical choices mean and why one can be a better website than another. As a result, the development was completed on time and exceeded our expectations. The feedback from our customers was very positive and compared to our previous results we doubled our turnover.
Computools was selected through an RFP process. They were shortlisted and selected from between 5 other suppliers. Computools has worked thoroughly and timely to solve all security issues and launch as agreed. Their expertise is impressive.