Phoenix Contact Presents Smart Solutions for Wind Energy at WindEnergy 2026

The cornerstone of the company's exhibition presence is the open PLCnext Technology ecosystem. It combines control hardware, engineering software, and cloud connectivity to enable flexible automation. To meet the growing demands for cybersecurity in connected systems, PLCnext control devices—along with other components such as switches, routers, and power supplies—have been developed and certified in accordance with IEC 62443-4-1 and -4-2. A key highlight is the hybrid panel PC, which allows WTGs to be integrated with solar farms and battery storage systems into a cohesive hybrid park, providing a seamless supply of renewable energy.

Intelligent Monitoring via Blade Intelligence
As a second key component, Phoenix Contact will demonstrate the Blade Intelligence system for rotor blade monitoring. This modular platform, suitable for both new and existing turbines, precisely detects ice formation and mechanical loads, while providing continuous structural monitoring. By utilizing PLCnext Technology as an evaluation and integration platform, these data points can be analyzed directly on-site and integrated into the overall turbine design.

Predictive Maintenance through Machine Learning
With MLnext, the company is introducing its machine learning solution to the wind sector. Originally developed for industrial production environments, MLnext can be deployed in wind farms to enable automated condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. Sensor data is continuously analyzed to automatically detect anomalies, with information relayed immediately to service teams, significantly increasing turbine availability.

Holistic Approach to Data-Driven Asset Management
André Koehnke, Deputy Vice President of Energy at Phoenix Contact, emphasizes the strategic importance of this system integration: "The combination of the hybrid panel PC, MLnext, and Blade Intelligence, all built on the foundation of PLCnext Technology, is particularly compelling for operators and manufacturers. All data, evaluations, and control processes converge on a central controller." This architecture allows sensor data from rotor blades to be not only monitored but also evaluated using AI to predict failures much earlier. With this approach, Phoenix Contact is supporting the industry's trend toward secure, data-driven asset management, focusing on cybersecurity and proactive maintenance.

Edited by Maria Brueva, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

www.phoenixcontact.com