Sensors are widely used for optimization of technical systems. In most cases they are electrical, hence not safe to operate e.g. on wind turbines blades due to lightning risk, on fuel tanks, in strong magnetic fields or close to generators due to the risk of electrical short circuits. Furthermore, cabling is costly, can be cumbersome to handle and signals are difficult to transmit reliably over long distances. CEKO Sensors, a spin-out from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), will disrupt the sensor market by providing sensors that are 100% optical, frequency modulated, have very high sensitivity and are metal-free. The force sensitivity of the sensors has shown to be 1200 times larger than what can be obtained using comparable technologies. At the same time the physical size is 100 times smaller and the weight 3000 times less than other sensors on the market today. These unique features make them invaluable for applications where sensitivity, size and weight are critical parameters. The initial proof-of-market application for the CEKO sensor is wind turbines. Wind turbines have been selected as CEKO sensors addresses several significant challenges for wind turbines owners: Monitoring of blade damages for reduced maintenance and repair costs, optimization of blade loads for efficient production and detection of icing on the blades, which has a high impact on the power production, cost-of-energy and the safety on ground, thus providing society with more reliable and safe renewable energy at a significantly reduced cost. The objectives of the overall innovation projects are to finalize the development of the optical technology for wind turbines, conduct full scale field tests in collaboration with wind turbine owners, obtain required industry certifications and demonstrate cost-savings, i.e. reduced cost-of-energy.
