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Wind energy is one of the original forms of power generation, seeing an early form in windmills and agriculture. Now, wind turbines are helping to power the planet. In 2022, 7.33% of global energy was generated by wind.

However, wind turbines are incredibly complex to build, transport, and inspect. Production worldwide is moving incredibly quickly, but a single blade for a land-based turbine can be over 170 feet (52 meters). The largest wind turbine in the world, the Goldwind GWH252-16MW, has a turbine rotor diameter of 827 feet (252 meters) and its hub stands at 479 feet (146 meters). The large size of turbine blades makes them incredibly difficult to mount, and the process of inspection and maintenance is also complex.

Inspectors have been trying to find safe ways to inspect turbines before and after they go into operation. These inspections can be used to ensure the lightning protection built into the turbines is correctly configured, as well as to ensure there are no cracks or degradation inside the turbine. There can be a risk of grease or missing bolts inside the blades that can be dangerous if it builds up - or, in a lightning strike, if it ignites.

The Elios 3 is being used by Pathfinder Optics to enable safer and faster inspections of some of the biggest wind turbines in America.