Icons of clean energy – modern wind turbines – are increasingly driven by technologies that help plan, operate and maintain them. play a key role in the investor’s final decision and in the success of the project. Herbertsmithfreehills.com summarises what the European wind energy industry is focusing on.

1. Digitalization of wind energy

Digitalization plays a key role in increasing the efficiency and reliability of wind power plants. The implementation of advanced sensors, automation and data analytics allows the operation and maintenance of wind farms to be optimised, increasing their productivity and reducing operating costs.

2. Predictive Maintenance

With sensors and advanced analytical tools, equipment failures can be predicted and prevented. Predictive maintenance reduces repair costs and minimizes downtime. This leads to higher efficiency and longer lifetime of wind turbines.

3. Production optimization

Digital technologies enable better monitoring and control of energy production. Algorithms and artificial intelligence help to optimise the performance of wind farms according to current weather conditions and energy demand, increasing the overall efficiency and stability of the energy supply.

4. Cyber security

As dependence on digital systems increases, so does the risk of cyber-attacks. Energy companies must invest in robust security measures to protect their networks and data from potential threats, which is key to ensuring continuity and reliability of energy supply.

5. Regulatory challenges

Digitalisation brings new regulatory requirements and challenges for the energy sector. Regulatory authorities need to update and adapt their regulations to reflect technological advances and ensure safe and efficient operation of digital wind farms. This also includes data protection and cyber security issues.

Source : https://www.herbertsmithfreehills.com/insights/reports/energy-transition-chasing-zero/wind-power-europe-report/change-in-the-air-gauging-wind-powers-digital-future