Reamonn Soto – Wind Turbine Structural Integrity

Reamonn Soto of Sensatek Propulsion Technology is enhancing the sustainability of wind turbines by monitoring the structural integrity of blades and towers.

Reamonn Soto

Sensatek Propulsion Technology

Soto is the founder and chief executive officer of Sensatek Propulsion Technology, which provides continuous wireless vibration monitoring and structural assessments of renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines and hydroelectric turbines.

During West Gate, Soto is validating and optimizing this method by leveraging NREL's wind research and modeling expertise.

A 2022 Energies journal report on wind turbine damage shows about 20% of blades exhibit known damage due to manufacturing defects, lightning strikes, and operating conditions. Such damage not only compromises turbine performance and lifespan but also poses a risk to safety and reliability. Damage alters the structure's natural frequency, which enables early detection and mitigation through monitoring.

Sensatek's advanced vibration monitoring provides earlier insights into visible and hidden damage. This enables just-in-time repairs that can boost turbine uptime by 20% and cut operational costs by eliminating 80% of inspections. This technology can significantly improve operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness in turbine maintenance, ultimately increasing wind and hydroelectric energy production.

Sensatek's wireless smart sensors deliver more than 10 times the vibration information compared to current solutions and monitor a larger amount of the structure itself. The system is more sensitive to minor changes and operates without wires, making it easier to operate than traditional detection methods.

Status

Commercially ready

Industry

Energy infrastructure

Potential Markets

• Wind turbine fleet owners
• Hydroelectric fleet owners

Looking For

• Industry mentors
• Funding
• Strategic partnerships
• Customer identification