Unlike onshore installations, offshore assets are exposed to harsh weather conditions, limited maintenance windows and complex logistics. When equipment failures occur, repairs are often costly, time-consuming and highly disruptive to power generation. Critical situations such as these demand solutions that go beyond reactive maintenance, towards more predictive and proactive asset management.
To address this challenge, Omexom has developed ACOUSTISCAN in cooperation with Seven Bel GmbH, an innovative acoustic monitoring solution designed to detect partial electrical discharges in high- and medium-voltage components at an early stage, avoiding significant damage to the components. Early identification of partial discharges, which often precede major equipment failures, gives operators valuable time to plan interventions, reduce operational risk, and avoid unplanned outages.
ACOUSTISCAN , an innovative acoustic monitoring solution designed by Omexom
The relevance of ACOUSTISCAN for the offshore sector lies in its capacity to consistently monitor essential electrical components without hindering operations. Employing acoustic sensors to identify and evaluate distinct sound patterns, the system delivers clear insights into asset health via automated analysis, converting intricate technical information into practical maintenance suggestions.
Three key benefits of the solution are: continuous monitoring of high- and medium-voltage components round-the-clock; early detection of insulation damage before it escalates into serious failures; and automated data analysis that helps maintenance teams prioritise resources and plan interventions efficiently.
The technology really wields its value in practical applications right now. Today, there are around 80 ACOUSTISCAN sensors installed in switchgear systems, substations and connection fields of offshore wind turbines that allow a shift from scheduled inspections and reactive repairs to condition-based maintenance. This method enhances dependability, lowers maintenance expenses, and maximizes the utilization of constrained offshore service periods.
Beyond its immediate operational benefits, ACOUSTISCAN reflects a broader shift across the energy sector towards intelligent infrastructure and data-driven asset management. As renewable energy capacity continues to expand, ensuring the long-term reliability of electrical equipment will become increasingly important. Technologies that provide early visibility of asset health can help maximize availability, extend equipment lifecycles and improve the overall performance of renewable energy installations.
Through the integration of acoustic monitoring, automated diagnostics, and predictive maintenance features, ACOUSTISCAN showcases how digital advancements can tackle one of the ongoing challenges in offshore wind energy: ensuring reliability in settings where every action is crucial. As operators look for safer, more efficient, and more reliable methods to handle critical infrastructure, tools like ACOUSTISCAN are aiding in the advancement of a smarter and more robust renewable energy future.
Umeå is growing more rapidly than most cities in northern Sweden. But much of the region’s existing infrastructure was built for consumption patterns that no…
Omexom has been awarded a long-term operations and maintenance contract for the substation infrastructure of Baltic Power, marking the company's entry into Poland's first offshore…
Connecting a wind farm to the grid is a complex engineering undertaking. It requires precise design, compliance with strict grid connection regulations, and infrastructure built…
