Canary Systems® has designed an inexpensive, easy to install, cloud-based wind turbine foundation monitoring platform. This system consists of a self-contained datalogger system (MLDAQ) with a highly sensitive biaxial tiltmeter sensor, high-speed data acquisition, cellular telemetry and power system, all integrated into a cloud-based software platform. The system simply mounts to the center of the concrete foundation block with concrete anchors and is plugged into available power. It allows for automatically comparing the rotation patterns over time and alerting staff to changes in the patterns. These could include increasing amplitude or changes in resonant frequency, and/or exceedance of defined thresholds, which can indicate possible progression in foundation instability.

Data from the tiltmeter is exported seamlessly to the cloud-based data platform MLWeb® using a cellular connection. Charts, graphs, and reports can be configured in MLWeb to show rotational stiffness in near real-time. Maps provide for an overview of multiple locations or even entire wind farms with color coded status indicators at a glance.

The platform is available as a service at a fixed monthly fee, no purchase of hardware or electronics is necessary. Installation can be included in the monthly fee or charged on a one-time basis. Additional options for power, telemetry, and adding supplemental sensors (such as strain gages) are available.