Advanced Sensor Technologies Take Centre Stage at AIRTuB Innovation Event
On 15 January, professionals from the offshore wind sector, researchers, and technology developers gathered at the Co-Creation Centre of The Green Village at TU Delft for an inspiring afternoon dedicated to multi-sensor monitoring and inspection innovations for offshore wind.
The AIRTuB Sensor Innovation Event showcased the latest developments in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), demonstrating how acoustic, fibre-optic, and electromagnetic sensors are transforming wind turbine blade maintenance and inspection practices.
AIRTuB-ROMI Project results
The afternoon opened with presentations from the AIRTuB-ROMI Work Package 1 team, revealing results from their multi-sensor monitoring approach on Eneco turbines. TU Delft, together with project partners Mistras-Sensoria, Tarucca, and Dehn Detect, presented their work on continuously tracking wind turbine blade health through innovative sensor technologies. From detecting lightning strikes to analysing vibration patterns and acoustic signals, these advances are paving the way for fully automated inspection systems at sea.
TNO showcased their digital twin development within Work Package 2, illustrating how virtual models can enhance predictive maintenance strategies for offshore wind assets.
Pioneering research projects
The Holi-DOCTOR and Reliablade2-NL projects shared valuable insights into their challenges, lessons learned, and breakthroughs in sensor diagnostics. Their work on understanding failure mechanisms and determining the remaining life of wind turbine blades provided practical perspectives on implementing advanced monitoring systems in real-world conditions.
TNO also presented their sensor installation robot, demonstrating how automation can improve the efficiency and safety of deploying monitoring equipment on wind turbines.
Emerging technologies
The event featured presentations from cutting-edge technology providers including PhotonFirst, Villari, Wind AI (Cognitive Business), and Fugro SHM. These companies demonstrated how next-generation monitoring and inspection solutions are making offshore operations safer, more reliable, and cost-effective.
Cross-pollination drives innovation
One of the event’s key strengths was the cross-pollination between different application areas. While focused on offshore wind, discussions extended to onshore wind applications, large steel structures, and infrastructure objects such as bridges and tunnels. This broader perspective generated unexpected insights and revealed how sensor monitoring solutions developed for one sector can inform innovations in another.
Attendees particularly valued the opportunity to share challenges and opportunities across different domains, creating connections that drive innovation forward.
Unique venue
The Co-Creation Centre at The Green Village provided an exceptional setting for the event. The building itself is equipped with advanced sensor monitoring systems, offering participants a tangible example of the technologies discussed throughout the afternoon.
Following the technical presentations, participants engaged in networking discussions over drinks, continuing conversations about the future of sensor monitoring in renewable energy and beyond.
Presentations available on request
The presentations from this event are available on request. Due to copyright claims on certain images, they are no longer directly downloadable from the website. If you are interested in accessing the presentation materials, please send an email to info@worldclassmaintenance.com and indicate which presentation you would like to receive:
01. BART VANDEHOEK- WCM-TU DELFT_Program – Intro WCM – Zephyros – AIRTuB
02. ROGER GROVES – TU DELFT_AIRTuB SHM Data to Assess Structural Integrity
03. BART VANDEHOEK- TU DELFT_AIRTuB_WP1_Status Update
04. MALCOLM HOWSE – MISTRAS SENSORIA
05. JESSE VAN KEMPEN – TARUCCA
06. FLORIAN WEIXELBAUM – DEHN DETECT
07. CAREL VAN DIGGELEN – TNO_WP2_Status Update
08. SIMON WATSON – TU Delft_Holi-DOCTOR
09. MICHIEL HAGENBEEK – TNO_Reliablade2NL
10. CAREL VAN DIGGELEN – TNO_Sensor Installation Robot
11. OLIVIER BAAS – VILLARI_Sensor Monitoring Steel Structures
12. LEE BERESFORD – COGNITIVE BUSINESS_WindAI platform
13. GIDEON LANGEDIJK_PHOTON FIRST_Chip-Based Fiber Optic Sensing
14. EDO NOORDERMEER – FUGRO_SHM of Civil Infrastucture Objects
For more information about upcoming events and sensor monitoring innovations, please contact Ferry Visser.