When Drones Serve Wind Turbines

A Revolutionary Demonstration for Wind Farm Maintenance

In October 2023, FlyRénov conducted an innovative demonstration of cleaning wind turbine blades, utilizing a drone equipped with a powerful high-pressure cleaner. The result of three years of intensive development by our team of experts, this operation represents a major advancement in the maintenance of wind farms. The patented solution stands out for its ability to maintain the spraying system just a few centimetres from the surface, thereby ensuring optimal washing and effective removal of deposits. This project allowed our partner ENGIE Green, manager of a large-scale wind farm, to test a revolutionary method combining high technology and field expertise.

An Agile and Environmentally Friendly Technology

The deployed technology offers unparalleled performance by combining speed, safety, and respect for the environment. Drone cleaning significantly reduces the risks associated with manual interventions on tall structures, eliminating the need for heavy equipment such as platforms or scaffolding and preventing any soil pollution. In addition, regular washing of the blades plays an essential role in optimising the visual inspection of wind turbines, allowing for the quick detection of any anomalies, limiting production losses, and improving the aesthetic appearance of installations for harmonious integration into the landscape.

Drone cleaning significantly reduces the risks associated with manual interventions on tall structures, eliminating the need for heavy equipment such as platforms or scaffolding

Financial Support and Strategic Partnerships

This ambitious project also benefited from financial support from the Agency for the Environment and Energy Management (ADEME) as part of the France 2030 Programme. This initiative, which aims to promote innovative technologies and support ecological transition, enabled the funding of a solution that is both effective and environmentally respectful. The strategic partnerships established with major players like ENGIE Green testify to the confidence in our technology, confirming the essential role of drones in the maintenance of tomorrow's energy infrastructures.

Future Perspectives and Additional Tests

During the year 2024, further tests were conducted to refine our approach. Although some tests yielded more or less conclusive results due to various technical and environmental factors, these experiments provided valuable feedback to improve our solutions. Building on these lessons, we are planning further tests in 2025, particularly on the wind turbine blade at ENGIE's office in Estrées-Deniécourt. These tests will focus on both cleaning and the evaluation of our piloting and control software developed by our R&D team, in order to continue innovating and ensuring optimal performance under real operating conditions.

By combining technological innovation, environmental rigour, and strategic partnerships, this series of demonstrations confirms the potential of drones to transform the maintenance of wind farms. FlyRénov thus paves the way for modern, secure, and effective solutions, actively contributing to the energy transition and the performance of tomorrow's infrastructures.