Wind powerBlade Intelligence –

the modular solution for effi cient operation

2 PHOENIX CONTACT

Effi cient rotor blade monitoringRotor blades are subjected to extreme environmental conditions and strain. In

order to protect the wind turbine generator against damage, the system effi ciency

is increased through proper status monitoring on the rotor blade, and key safety

functions are performed.

Your advantages

Maximum availability of wind turbine generators with

robust components, even under extreme conditions

Easy integration into existing systems, thanks to open

interfaces

Maintenance work can be scheduled and the

confi guration adjusted via remote access

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PHOENIX CONTACT 3

Sensor for ice detection

Sensor for lightning monitoring

Sensor for load monitoring

Evaluation unit

Our solution for rotor blade monitoring

With the Blade Intelligence rotor blade

monitoring solution, Phoenix Contact

provides you with the ability to monitor

your wind turbine generator in extreme

situations and to optimize the system

operation. Our solution is a combination of

ice detection, load monitoring, and lightning

current measurement for the maximum

availability of your wind turbine generator.

The modular system can be adapted to your

requirements.

We will introduce you to the individual

systems over the next few pages. Learn

more about our ice detection system

starting on page 4. Get more information

about our rotor monitoring system for load

monitoring starting on page 6, and read

more about our lightning monitoring system

for lightning current measurement starting

on page 8.

With Blade Intelligence, you can always

keep an eye on the status of your rotor

blades, which helps you react quickly to any

events. Our solution is available in various

versions. It can also be integrated reliably

into existing systems, ensuring effi cient

retrofi tting.

Modular system confi guration

The modular design of this solution allows the

individual solutions to be combined as needed

depending on the requirements. Sensors

developed specially for installation on the

rotor blade provide all of the data necessary

for processing in a common evaluation unit.

Extensions with additional sensor technology

are possible at any time. New technologies

and wireless sensors allow sustainable and

effi cient maintenance management.

Operation and visualization

The data from all sensors is visualized clearly

on an HMI web panel. The intuitive interfaces

gives you quick access to all functions and

provides you with a complete overview of

what’s going on with each and every rotor

blade.

Installation documentation

With the app, we off er you digital support

when you’re installing the sensors. Right

from the start, when affi xing and setting

up the sensors on the rotor blade, photos

and other information on the installation

can be documented in the app. This data is

transferred to the respective controller.

4 PHOENIX CONTACT

Solutions for ice detectionPhoenix Contact provides a reliable ice detection system for rotor blades which will

increase the yields of your wind turbine generators. Our ice detection system (ID-S)

solution measures the thickness of possible ice deposits and the temperature directly

on the surface of the blade.

PHOENIX CONTACT 5

Ice detection system

Innovative measuring technology

In particular in regions with extreme

temperatures and low levels of sunlight,

using ice detection senor technology

is of key importance. Thanks to high

temperature resistance and long darkness

reserves, our Blade Intelligence system

makes maximum availability possible even

under extreme conditions.

Our ID-S solution allows ice to reliably be

detected on the rotor blade. Thanks to

measurements being taken outside on the

blade, ice detection is signifi cantly more

accurate, and system downtimes can be

reduced to a minimum.

Reliable ice detection is possible thanks

to the diff erentiation between ice and

soiling. The ice formation level is then also

verifi ed through a parallel temperature

measurement using the same sensor. The

onset of ice formation can be detected

signifi cantly earlier. This information can be

used to control an existing blade heating

system optimally.

Autonomous sensors

The sensors, which are simply stuck on,

measure how thick the ice coating the rotor

blade is and the external temperature on

the rotor blade.

• Operating temperature: -40°C … +60°C

• Wireless range of up to 250 m

• Transmission frequency:

868 MHz / 915 MHz

• Direct energy supply via solar power

• Storage capacity for supply for over

1000 h

Your advantages

Reliable ice detection thanks measuring how thickly

the ice is coated on the rotor blades

Maximum yields with automatic restart

Optimized control of the blade heating thanks to

temperature measuring

Fast startup, even as a retrofi t solution, thanks to

preconfi gured components

Autonomous operation, because it is not necessary to

integrate it into the wind turbine generator controller

6 PHOENIX CONTACT

Solutions for load monitoringHigh dynamic forces can lead to permanent structural damage to the blades. Our rotor

monitoring system (RM-S) measures the behavior under load and bending moments to

estimate the remaining service life.

PHOENIX CONTACT 7

Rotor monitoring system

Recording load spectra

Our RM-S solution detects damage early

by continuously monitoring loads and

vibrations. The strain on the blades is

reduced to a minimum. The measured

values are used to determine the minimum,

average, and maximum bending moment and

the rotational speed of the rotor. Collecting

information on the occurring load spectra

creates a record of the vibration amplitudes

which cause structural damage to the

rotor blades over the entire service life.

The values recorded therefore allow you

to estimate the wind turbine generator’s

remaining service life.

Robust sensor design

The strain gauges, developed specially for

use in wind turbine generators, are affi xed

to the inner side of the rotor blades close

to the base of the blade. The special design

of the sensor allows you to measure

ranges which are specially adapted to the

to the demands on the rotor blade. With

sensors tailored to the respective blade

type, we achieve a permanently measurable

displacement of ±5‰.

The controller records the sensor signals.

All of the raw data can be stored and

evaluated. An alarm can be triggered if the

confi gured limit values are exceeded. At

the same time, the processed data is made

available to the higher-level controller for

signal scanning.

• Highly durable distension of ±5‰

• 4 ... 20 mA interface

• Integrated temperature sensor

• Temperature-compensated

• High durability

• M12 connection technology

• Pigtail connection

Your advantages

Condition-based maintenance thanks to early

detection of damage

Reduced strain on the rotor blades with

load-optimized control of the wind turbine generator

Reliable operation with robust components, even

under extreme conditions

Open system for optimum integration into existing

systems

Special design makes a high measuring range

possible

8 PHOENIX CONTACT

Solutions for lightning current measurementTime and again, lightning strikes cause rotor blade damage and electronics failures

in wind turbine generators. However, in most cases, these strikes cannot be directly

detected or logged. Our lightning monitoring system (LM-S) solution can precisely

measure lightning strikes in a wind turbine generator’s rotor blades.

PHOENIX CONTACT 9

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Lightning monitoring system

Lightning surge current characteristics

Our LM-S detects and analyzes all key

parameters of lightning surge currents. This

data allows the actual system load to be

assessed. Continuous remote monitoring

improves the decision-making criteria for

preventive maintenance operations. The

LM-S is incorporated autonomously into

networks via a modem or the integrated

Ethernet interface.

The system can be easily integrated

into an existing control system by

calling up the IP addresses. Detailed

information on any lightning strikes

can be called up in a web browser.

Data acquisition via real-time measurement

The LM-S measuring system sensors are

mounted on the protective devices. In

the event of a lightning strike, the surge

current generates a magnetic fi eld around

the conductor, which is detected by the

sensors. The system utilizes the Faraday

eff ect. The magnetic fi eld generated by the

lightning has an eff ect on light. A previously

polarized light wave becomes distorted.

This distortion becomes measurable

through a second polarization. This purely

optical measurement also ensures that the

current in the lightning conductor or the

magnetic fi eld cannot damage the sensor

or the evaluation unit. The system sends

the measured results to the evaluation

unit via fi ber optics. Based on the values

obtained, the evaluation unit determines the

maximum lightning current strength with

the lightning current rate of rise, charge,

and specifi c energy.

Your advantages

Informative diagnostics with immediate acquisition of

detailed data through real-time measurements

Helpful decision-making criteria for maintenance

action, thanks to remote monitoring

Easy data output and confi guration via integrated

web server

Integration into standard network systems with

RJ45 interface

Faraday eff ect

10 PHOENIX CONTACT

System automationWith PLCnext Technology, Phoenix Contact provides a unique ecosystem for modern

automation. Combining an open control platform, modular engineering software, and

systemic cloud integration means that you can easily adapt to changing demands.

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PredictiveMaintenance

Data Analytics

Active LoadControl

Remaining LifetimeObservation

Platform for limitless automation

Your advantages

PLC-typical real-time performance and data

consistency, even for high-level languages and

model-based code

Intelligent networking through cloud connection and

integration of current and future communication

standards

Quick application development: Several developers

can work independently in diff erent programming

languages

Open control platform

As a modular system, our Blade Intelligence solution works using

a controller with PLCnext Technology. The infrastructure of the

PLCnext Technology ecosystem allows additional functions and

sensors to be added at any time. The software needed can be

downloaded easily from the PLCnext Store and uploaded to the

controller. This means that the system is also open for future

development and can be extended at any time.

Matlab Simulink integration

The Blade Intelligence system is ideally

suited for use in modern wind turbine

generators because it uses PLCnext

Technology. Integrating Matlab Simulink

allows blade heating control models to be

uploaded to the controller and integrated

easily. With this approach, the blade heating

system can react directly to changing

conditions on the rotor blade.

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You can fi nd our complete

product range at:

phoenixcontact.com

Open communication with customers and partners

worldwide

Phoenix Contact is a global market leader based in Germany. We are known for

producing future-oriented components, systems, and solutions in the fi elds of

electrical engineering, electronics, and automation. With a global

network reaching across more than 100 countries with over

17,400 employees, we maintain close relationships with

our customers, something we believe is essential for

success.

Our wide variety of innovative products makes

it easy for our customers to implement the

latest technology in a variety of applications

and industries. We focus on developing the

fi elds of energy, infrastructure, process, and

factory automation.

PHOENIX CONTACT GmbH & Co. KG

Flachsmarktstraße 8

32825 Blomberg, Germany

Phone: +49 52 35 3-00

Fax: +49 52 35 3-4 12 00

E-mail: info@phoenixcontact.com

phoenixcontact.com