Inspections of energy plants

Tested safety for employees and plants 

ENERTRAG Operation’s technical services team consists of more than 30 employees at various locations in Germany. These experts specialise in various areas of testing: Machine inspections, gearbox and rotor blade inspections, vibration measurements and also DGUV-V3 inspections are all part of the range of services.  

The services of the inspection centre begin with the initial commissioning of the wind turbine and accompany it through all phases of operation. Inspections and tests are carried out professionally and with the highest level of technical expertise. In this way, ENERTRAG Operation ensures a consistently high standard of quality and achieves complete customer satisfaction. Accreditation in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 clearly underlines this commitment to high standards. 

Advantages 

Accredited inspections 

Machine tests  

Periodic inspection (WKP)  

Periodic inspections are mandatory as part of the authorisation requirements. The aim is to recognise potential damage and eliminate any hazards posed by the wind turbine. They must be carried out at regular intervals by experts on the machine and rotor blades as well as on the supporting structure (tower and accessible areas of the foundations). The inspection intervals are specified in the expert reports on the turbine. 

ENERTRAG Operation have the highest quality standards, as work on wind turbines requires the utmost care. Regular inspections and tests make the technical risk of wind turbines manageable and repairs can be planned for the long term - guaranteeing high energy availability. 

State-of-the-art methods such as condition monitoring, video endoscopy and drone technology are used to determine the status of the wind turbine. Final reports document the current condition of the system and components and provide recommendations for action. 

The following services are included in the WPK, depending on the customer's requirements: 

Inspection for condition-orientated maintenance (ZOP)   

Insurance companies require a comprehensive inspection of all key components of a wind turbine at regular intervals. The main aim of the inspection for condition-based maintenance (ZOP) is to recognise initial damage at an early stage and thus prevent consequential damage. It is also carried out when damage is suspected, in the event of a change of ownership or to secure claims. 

ENERTRAG Operations carries out the inspections according to the criteria of Gothaer Versicherung ("Principles for the inspection of condition-based maintenance of wind turbines") or according to individual customer requirements. 

The ZOP includes the following services depending on the customer's requirements: 

Inspection after commissioning (H1) 

The report of the main inspection provides the system operator with a reliable basis for comparing the status quo delivered with the contractual agreements and, if necessary, demanding rectification from the manufacturer. 

The inspection before and after commissioning (H1) is carried out as part of the handover of the wind turbine to the operator. ENERTRAG Operations carries out the inspection in accordance with the guidelines of the German Institute for Structural Engineering (DiBt). 

The following services are included in the H1 inspection before and after commissioning, depending on customer requirements: 

Customer benefits 

Inspection before the warranty expires (H2)  

When financing wind turbines, operators and banks assume a term of at least 20 years. Defects from the commissioning phase should therefore be recognised at an early stage within the defined warranty period and rectified by the manufacturer. The inspection before the warranty expires helps to identify defects and subsequently assert claims against the manufacturer. 

5 good reasons for an inspection before the warranty expires

The aim of ENERTRAG Operation is to operate wind turbines as safely as possible. To ensure this goal, qualified specialists carry out inspections on wind turbines according to individual demands and requirements and in accordance with the guidelines of the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt guideline)

The following services are included in the H2 inspection before the warranty expires, depending on the customer's requirements: 

Rotor blade inspection by drone or rope access 

Rotor blade inspections are among the most complex inspection activities on a wind turbine. ENERTRAG Operation inspects by drone or rope access. 

The rotor blade inspection includes the following services: 

Additional accredited inspections

Safety checks 

Safety is the be-all and end-all in wind turbines. This is why, in addition to other tests, annual safety inspections of certain components are required in accordance with the Ordinance on Operating Sites.  

Safety inspections serve in particular to maximise occupational safety for personnel working in a wind turbine. It also makes economic sense to adhere to the annual interval for safety inspections: If, for example, it is not possible to climb the vertical ladders because they have not been checked, necessary inspections or repairs may be delayed and yield losses may occur. 

ENERTRAG Operation offers the following services throughout Germany:

Further inspections 

DGUV-V3 inspections  

A wind turbine, the transfer station and the substation at the grid connection point are considered electrical installations and are subject to numerous regulations that operators are often unfamiliar with.  

This is based on Section 49 of the German Energy Industry Act (EnWG), according to which energy systems must be set up and operated in such a way that technical safety is guaranteed. This gives the DIN VDE standards, in particular VDE 0105-100, legal force with regard to the operation of an electrical installation. Here and in Regulation 3 of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), it is stipulated that the operator must have the system checked regularly by a qualified electrician to ensure that it is in proper condition. The primary aim is to prevent accidents and ensure personal safety.  

However, due to the complex legal situation, experience has shown that many operators only fulfil their obligations incompletely, which can have serious consequences in the event of damage. These range from consequences under labour law to fines and even criminal prosecution. 

During the legally compliant implementation by ENERTRAG Operation, several hundred criteria to be tested are processed - in the low and medium voltage range, including protective device tests. All electrical components that could be a source of danger to people and the safe and proper condition of the system are inspected, tested and/or measured.  

Customer benefits  

Additional inspections 

Accreditation by the DAkks 

ENERTRAG Betrieb GmbH is a type C inspection body accredited by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 for the scope specified in the  certificate annex D-IS-18273-01-00.

Status / Updated: July 2022