Improving Wind Turbine Maintenance with Drone-Based LPS Inspections

Voliro outlines how AssetTech uses the Voliro T UAS to improve Lightning Protection System (LPS) inspection efficiency across Brazilian wind farms in its case study, Wind Turbine Maintenance Efficiency: How AssetTech Uses Voliro T to Cut Costs by 50% and Boost Inspection Speed 16x.

Traditionally, LPS inspections involved rope-access teams working at heights over 100 meters, requiring three technicians and taking up to a full day per turbine. These inspections cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per unit and were limited by weather conditions and safety concerns. AssetTech’s core work, blade inspections for turbines from manufacturers like GE and Nordex Acciona, was constrained by these time- and labor-intensive methods.

With the Voliro T UAS, inspections now take just 30 minutes per turbine, using two ground-based operators. This has cut inspection costs in half, from around $1,000 to $500 per turbine, and reduced downtime by 95%, keeping turbines operational for up to 7.5 additional hours per inspection. The drone-based process eliminates climbing and manual cable connections, lowering both risk and resource use.

LPS inspections are scheduled every three months to ensure turbine safety and compliance with IEC 61400-24 standards. By integrating Voliro T, AssetTech has streamlined data collection and minimized disruption to wind farm operations. The approach supports safer, more consistent maintenance as Brazil’s wind energy sector continues to expand.

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