Posters
Come meet the poster presenters to ask them questions and discuss their work
We would like to invite you to come and see the posters at our upcoming conference. The posters will showcase a diverse range of research topics, and will give delegates an opportunity to engage with the authors and learn more about their work. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or simply curious about the latest developments in your field, we believe that the posters will offer something of interest to everyone. So please join us at the conference and take advantage of this opportunity to learn and engage with your peers in industry and the academic community.
PO519: DragonSky: UAV-Based LiDAR System for In-Operation 3D Rotor Reconstruction and Relative Pitch Angle Estimation
Chems Eddine Himeur, Head of research and development., Alpha Wind SAS
Abstract
Wind turbines are central to global clean energy strategies, with offshore capacity alone expected to reach 234 gigawatts by 2030. Yet, maintaining these complex systems—especially offshore—remains costly and logistically challenging. We present DragonSky, a UAV-based LiDAR inspection platform with an integrated processing pipeline that enables non-contact, in-operation monitoring of wind turbines. DragonSky offers the industry’s first solution for 3D rotor reconstruction and relative pitch angle estimation of turbines in operation. The system addresses key challenges such as rolling shutter distortion and unstructured point cloud data by introducing a pipeline of novel registration and analysis algorithms, which simultaneously corrects motion deformation, aligns successive LiDAR scans and extracts key data. This pipeline includes segmentation, denoising, and rotational axis estimation, enabling high-resolution reconstructions from short, aerial scans. We benchmark DragonSky against the Romeg M20G ground-based laser system, demonstrating equivalent accuracy under a wider range of conditions. In field tests across turbines of different sizes and configurations, DragonSky consistently delivered precise, actionable results, highlighting the system’s robustness, adaptability, and operational efficiency. Beyond pitch monitoring, the system can detect blade deformations and assess structural alignment. DragonSky provides wind farm operators with a scalable, non-intrusive solution to improve performance, reduce costs, and extend turbine lifespan, making it a valuable asset for the future of wind energy.
No recording available for this poster.
