Renewable Energy
Proactive Inspections: How CICNDT Is Changing Blade Inspections and Reliability
Proactive Inspections: How CICNDT Is Changing Blade Inspections and Reliability
Wind turbine operators are entering a critical new era: longer turbine lifespans, aging assets, and tighter repowering timelines driven by policy shifts like the Inflation Reduction Act. In this evolving landscape, blade reliability is paramount — and Jeremy Heinks, founder of CICNDT, is on a mission to change how the industry approaches it.
In a recent episode of the Uptime podcast, Heinks spoke candidly about the current gaps in non-destructive testing (NDT) in the wind sector and how CICNDT is addressing them.
What Operators Are Finding – and Missing
Operators who have used CICNDT’s services are starting to understand the power of pre-installation blade inspections. One customer who brought in CICNDT for a sample check of brand-new blades discovered unexpected problems: “The sample showed that they have an issue with these brand-new blades,” he said.
Unfortunately, with the push to deploy stored or newly manufactured blades more than ever, quality issues remain a concern. Heinks and the CICNDT team have noticed an uptick in problems in recent months.
“The quality is definitely down,” he said.
NDT at this stage is not just convenient, it can catch issues before they turn into costly downtime.
When blade inspections show damage that occurred in the factory due to manufacturing issues, or in transport, it’s bad news, but good timing. The best time to fix the blade (and address warranty issues) is prior to installation.
“It is much easier for us to get the technology and the personnel to a blade that’s on the ground, ” Heinks said. “It’s cheaper, it’s quicker… It always comes down to access.”
Legacy Blades, Mystery History
The concern about hidden problems extends to stored blades, many of which have unknown histories. In one case, blades had been stored in a location that had flooded years prior.
“We get out there, we’re scanning laminates… and it just [gave] terrible signal,” Heinks said. Only after researching the site’s history did they learn about the submersion event. “Those are things you’ve got to look at, too.”
Even weather events like high winds can compromise blades on the ground: “They’ll start fluttering in ways they’re not designed to,” Heinks said. “NDT is the only way you’re going to figure out if something is really wrong with them.”
A Modern Toolbox for Deep Inspection
CICNDT’s new lab in Ogden, Utah is outfitted with high-end inspection capabilities rarely seen in the wind industry, yet those tools are commonly used in aviation and defense. The company’s mission is to deliver focused, practical, robust Non-destructive Testing Solutions that address the needs of clients in Aerospace, including the Space Industry, and Renewable Energy.
“We’ve got… robotic CT, laser ultrasound, thermography,” he said, explaining that those technologies allow 3D inspection of components without destruction. “We can scan it and get a 3D image… without having to (enlarge or) damage the defect,” Heinks said.
The approach gives operators unprecedented clarity about issues like bonding flaws, root defects, or main spar cracks, especially in carbon fiber designs.
Blade Bolts: A Hidden Failure Point
Cracked blade bolts is another emerging issue that Heinks noted, and it’s another that CICNDT is well-equipped to address.
“We can definitely do a UT (ultrasonic) blade inspection… Whether it’s installed or not installed on the bolts,” Heinks said. He also mentioned development of a bolt monitoring system using sensors to track fatigue over time.
Critically, this type of proactive check could be performed quickly onsite.
Practical Inspection Strategies, Cost-effective Maintenance
One recurring theme in the interview was the need for practical expertise, and not just using technology for its own sake. “A lot of really cool robotics [are] coming out… [but] they don’t have the experience needed… and therefore, they can miss the mark,” Heinks said.
The goal should be “a practical approach to the inspection with automation.”
CICNDT also offers to train operators to perform “operator-level inspections” so issues can be flagged quickly before calling in a Level II or III technician.
Future-Proofing Wind Assets
With the U.S. wind fleet aging and uncertain repowering timelines, proactive inspections are more important than ever.
“We have a throwaway attitude when it comes to blades,” Heinks said, “but inspection and preventive maintenance is the way to go.”
He pointed to the example of wind farms in Australia and on remote islands, where turbines are expected to run for 30 years or more.
The key to longevity, according to Heinks? It’s plain common sense.
“Budget for more inspection on these things that we know will go bad over time.”
Heinks added that after repairs are made is also an important, and often-overlooked, line-item.
“Post inspection on repairs is always a good idea… It’s commonplace in aviation.”
The Bottom Line: NDT = More Uptime
Wind turbine operations managers should rethink inspection practices before damage becomes downtime. With tools like robotic CT, laser ultrasound, and ultrasonic bolt testing, CICNDT brings aviation-grade diagnostics to wind, and offers a path to asset longevity.
“Sometimes (operators) have had turbines offline for weeks, if not months, because they have an issue they don’t know they can do anything about,” Heinks said. NDT can ‘see’ the problem so a fix can be made – and the equipment can get back in service.
More Uptime is always the goal!
To reach CICNDT:
Call (801) 436-6512 or email info@cicndt.com
Listen to the interview Apple Podcasts or on Spotify
https://weatherguardwind.com/proactive-inspections-how-cicndt-is-changing-blade-inspections-and-reliability/