Periodic Inspection · No Rope Access · IEC 61400-24
Lightning protection inspection on wind turbines
Periodic lightning protection inspection without rope access. Approx. 30 minutes downtime per turbine, standards-compliant inspection report with recommended actions, fixed price per turbine.
15
inspections per day (one operator)
ca. 30 min
downtime per turbine
A wind turbine's lightning protection system is among the most heavily weather-exposed components. Periodic inspection is mandated by the German DIBt guideline and relevant for insurance coverage; the procedure follows the BWE framework. DDI delivers a standards-compliant inspection report per turbine, complete with recommended actions, available in the DDI Portal at a fixed price per turbine. The inspection is carried out by drone, without rope access, with significantly shorter downtime than conventional methods.
Easy to commission, efficient to run
Our pilots hold manufacturer-certified operator training from Nordex, Enercon, Vestas and other OEMs. They control the turbine from the tower base. No service technician required on site. A single DDI operator covers what would conventionally require an entire team. Inspections are planned as campaigns per wind farm, typically 4–8 weeks ahead, without seasonal bottlenecks.
Robust inspection reports with recommended actions
DDI produces the inspection reports. They include the measurement protocol and concrete recommended actions. All reports are uploaded to the DDI Portal. The format is ready for independent experts, O&M teams and insurers to use without rework or to use directly themselves.
How the inspection works technically
DDI uses a measurement drone that physically docks at the turbine and measures the lightning protection system across the entire down conductor path. The method meets the requirements of IEC 61400-24 and also detects faults in the upper blade section that a base-only measurement cannot see.
Read the technical description
How we work
Requirements call
In a call or by email we clarify turbine count, turbine type, site, last inspection and desired report format. The result is a binding fixed-price offer per turbine with a planned flight window.
Campaign planning
We set the inspection sequence and coordinate with the remote control centre and grid operator. One drone operator works the campaign sequentially. For large wind farms over several consecutive days, without mobilisation overhead.
On-site execution
The drone operator arrives at the wind farm and controls the turbine from the tower base. Duration: approx. 30 minutes downtime per turbine. No service technician and no rope access required.
Inspection report in the DDI Portal
Measurement protocol with resistance values, system condition assessment and concrete recommended actions as a structured PDF in the DDI Portal. All inspections for your wind farm are organised there by project.
Frequently asked questions
How long is my turbine offline during the inspection?
Approx. 30 minutes per turbine. Downtime is coordinated via the remote control centre and is significantly shorter than with conventional rope access inspection.
Can I bundle multiple wind farms into one campaign?
Yes. We can reach any wind farm in Europe and charge no separate travel costs, as we combine assignments into campaigns. Wind farms from different operators in the same region can be grouped together.
How quickly do I receive a quote?
After a short call on turbine count, type and location you receive a binding fixed-price offer per turbine within a few working days, including a planned flight window.
How far in advance do I need to plan the campaign?
Typically 4–8 weeks before the desired flight window. This gives us time to align with the remote control centre, O&M and grid operator. For urgent post-incident inspections we prioritise.
Can DDI coordinate with our maintenance window?
Yes. The campaign is coordinated with your O&M team and remote control centre so downtime falls within a planned maintenance window. Double shutdowns are avoided.
Does the price change in bad weather?
No. The fixed price per turbine remains the same even if flights are delayed. Flight operations require wind speeds up to 12 m/s and a dry rotor blade. Rescheduling is coordinated directly with remote control and O&M.
Do I need a service technician on site?
No. Our pilots hold manufacturer-certified operator training from Nordex, Enercon, Vestas and other OEMs, are GWO-certified and control the turbine from the tower base. No service technician is required.
Which standards are applied?
The inspection is carried out to IEC 61400-24 and DIN EN 61400-24, supplemented by the BWE guideline for periodic inspection. Details on method and standards can be found in the technical overview.
What does a lightning protection inspection cost per turbine?
DDI works on a fixed price per turbine. You receive the fixed price after a short campaign enquiry (turbine count, type, location). No day rates, no rope access surcharges, no additional travel costs for Europe-wide deployments.
How is the inspection data delivered?
Via the DDI Portal. You receive the inspection report as PDF. The format is ready for you to pass directly to insurers or independent experts without rework.
Does drone-based inspection fully cover what conventional rope access inspection delivers?
For periodic lightning protection inspection to IEC 61400-24: yes. For certain repair works, rope access remains necessary. Read the technical background.
Request a lightning protection inspection for your wind farm
A short call is enough to calculate the fixed price for your campaign. Speak with Matthias Pauli, our founder and Managing Director.
Prefer to talk directly?
Book 20-min call with Matthias