Bolts iQ™

To meet the growing need for electricity, the global transition to renewable energy is accelerating rapidly, with worldwide wind capacity estimated at 744 Gigawatts in 2021*. With exponential growth projected, properly maintaining the growing number of deployed wind turbines is of critical importance to renewable energy operators and OEMs alike. In keeping with our tradition of innovation in the application of nondestructive testing techniques, FDH is addressing the critical need for novel approaches to maintenance in the renewable energy industry.

Introducing the Bolts iQ™ Measurement Tool

A key maintenance program imperative is maintaining the correct tension in the thousands of bolts contained in a typical wind tower. This is critical to ensuring the integrity and stability of these assets over time in response to both normal wear and tear and environmental factors. Traditional tensioning methods, such as hydraulic jacks, are inherently inaccurate, inefficient, and unwieldy, resulting in increased operational downtime and higher costs associated with bolted joint installations and inspections. Current methods require tension modification by torque or hydraulic force, which can unnecessarily alter the current tension, often resulting in bolt overtightening. Also, more recent inspection methods typically require the technician to know the unstressed length in advance in order to make an accurate assessment of tension.

Bolts iQ, a faster, safer, and more accurate solution for measuring flange bolt tension, is projected to be available in late 2023.

*Worldwide Wind Energy Association