Two young engineers from İzmir have developed an artificial intelligence-powered “early warning device” that analyzes the sounds emitted by wind turbine blades to instantly detect system failures or potential malfunctions. The innovative product is now being exported to five countries, including France, the UK, Spain, Scotland, and Germany.
Balca Yılmaz (32) and Çağlar Erat (32), both graduates of Istanbul Technical University’s Control and Automation Engineering Department, founded their tech startup after moving to İzmir. Their journey began with the creation of a remotely operated underwater robot capable of 360-degree imaging, which received support from TÜBİTAK and is currently used in several hydroelectric power plants.
Following the success of their first project, the pair shifted their focus to wind energy. Prompted by a suggestion from a friend, they began researching failures in wind turbine blades. After extensive fieldwork and meetings with wind energy firms, they identified a need for early fault detection systems.
Their solution, named “Windrover”, uses microphones and sensors to monitor the sounds produced by turbine blades. With the support of artificial intelligence, the device identifies abnormal acoustic patterns that may indicate damage or inefficiencies. Installed directly on turbines, Windrover sends alerts to a central system via a mobile app, enabling companies to respond quickly and prevent major issues.
The device has already been integrated into over 500 wind turbines across Turkey, France, Italy, Scotland, and Germany.
“We’re now focused on expanding across Europe,” said co-founder Balca Yılmaz. “Our entrepreneurial journey began during university with project-based collaborations. Today, we’re proud to have a 15-person team and investors who believe in our mission.”
Co-founder Çağlar Erat highlighted the challenges wind turbines face in harsh geographic conditions and how blade damage can reduce energy efficiency.
“If issues aren’t addressed early, they can lead to significant losses,” Erat said. “Our device detects abnormalities before they escalate, using a special microphone system along with temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors. Through AI, any deviation from normal blade operation is reported in real-time.”
Industry Experts Praise the Innovation
Alper Kalaycı, President of the Energy Industrialists and Business People Association (ENSİA), emphasized the significance of the monitoring system:
“Blades are among the most critical components of wind turbines due to their exposure to environmental and mechanical stress. This technology allows operators to detect and prevent large-scale damage early on. The fact that it’s being adopted internationally shows that the system has proven itself. We must continue shifting our exports toward high-value-added technologies like this.”
With their pioneering solution, Yılmaz and Erat aim to not only contribute to global wind energy efficiency but also inspire further innovation in Turkey’s growing tech ecosystem.
Source: Anadolu Ajansı/ Prepared by: İlayda Gök