Many advantages exist for the use of Fiber Optic Sensors in the Wind Industry. These sensors are small and extremely lightweight (about 6% of today’s counterparts). Several sensors can be installed on a single fiber, monitoring multiple parts of the wind turbines simultaneously. This creates a tremendous saving in installation time, cost, cabling requirements and equipment. These sensors are immune to EMI and lightning, are low loss, high bandwidth systems effective over long distances. They can be used to monitor for structural integrity as well as equipment functionality and efficiency. Sensors are excellent tools for monitoring various aspects of a wind turbine including blades, towers, foundations, mechanical components, electrical components (hot spots), and hydraulic systems. They provide real-time data and are well suited for use in this environment.

Wind Turbine Blade Application