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A powerful UAV-based ICT solution allowing safe, reliable and effective inspections of wind turbines

Objective

Over the lifetime of a wind turbine, operation and maintenance costs represent 25% of total levelised cost per kWh
produced. Half of this cost concerns the blades. Blade inspection procedures still rely on qualified inspectors roping down
each blade: a hazardous, time-consuming (5h) and expensive method (1500€). ProDrone’s integrated solution delivers a
fully equipped Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based platform for capturing, processing and analysing inspection data,
enabling a turbine downtime lower by 6 times and a cost saving of over 50%. Pro-Drone is targeted at wind park operators
who seek a reduction in the cost of blade inspection and additional revenues from decreased downtime. Within the overall
project, Pro-Drone intends to fully automate the UAV blade inspection process eliminating human intervention in the drone’s
take-off and landing phase; optimization of the post-processing algorithm for automatic fault recognition; and complete a
sound demonstration and validation of the technology in operation with wind turbine operators. There is over 154 GW of
installed wind energy capacity in the EU (over 60.000 wind turbines) and 433 GW globally (314.000 wind turbines!) which
can asily adopt this solution and benefit from safer and more economical turbine analysis. The Pro-Drone will effectively
contribute to the European 2030 targets of at least 27% renewable energy in final energy consumption at European level
and an anticipated €1 million plus will be saved on the total amount of energy installed in EU.

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

BLADEINSIGHT SA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
TAGUSPARK AV. JACQUES DELORS, EDIFICIO INOVACAO II GAB 4
2740-122 PORTO SALVO
Portugal

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Continente Área Metropolitana de Lisboa Área Metropolitana de Lisboa
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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