Author: Huynh Khang

Student Exchanges

UiA is currently hosting four exchange students from Chiang Mai University, Thailand. During their exchange period, the students are enhancing their knowledge in applied artificial intelligence for condition monitoring of machinery. As part of their academic activities, they are attending a data modeling course led by Prof. João Leal.

Jon Greger Notland, UiA M.Sc student, is spending six weeks (January 10–February 21, 2026) as an exchange student at Can Tho University (CTU) and Quy Nhon University (QNU) in Vietnam. During his stay, he is implementing tasks related to his M.Sc. thesis on data-driven models for fault diagnosis of power converters. The thesis topic was proposed by Dr. Quoc Anh Le and is co-supervised by Dr. Quoc Anh Le and Prof. Khang Huynh. Dr. Tuan Ho Le (QNU) is also providing guidance on data-driven modeling aspects.

Mats Gundersen, UiA M.Sc student, will spend two months, starting from Feb. 15, 2026, at Quy Nhon University (QNU), Vietnam, working on his M.Sc. thesis on data analytics and health monitoring for wind farms. The thesis was proposed and is supervised by Prof. João Leal and Dr. Tuan Ho Le at QNU.

Staff Exchanges

Two lecturers from Can Tho University spent two weeks at UiA from January 5 to January 19, 2026. During their visit, Dr. Vu Nguyen conducted laboratory tests on fault diagnosis of power converters, while Dr. Thanh Thuong focused on data-driven models for bearing fault diagnosis.

Two Challenge Assessment Workshops were organized at Chiang Mai University, Thailand, and Quy Nhon University, Vietnam, to discuss the challenges faced by wind farms in condition monitoring, fault diagnostics, and maintenance of wind turbine components. The workshops were attended by experts from UiA and TalTech, as well as participants from higher education institutions in Vietnam and Thailand.

Engagement with wind farm operators was a key objective of the events. This was achieved with great success at Quy Nhon University, where numerous presentations were delivered by wind farm operators from Vietnam. The event also received media coverage in Bao Gia Lai:
https://baogialai.com.vn/tim-giai-phap-nang-cao-hieu-qua-van-hanh-cac-nha-may-dien-gio-post574431.html

The Vice Rector of Quy Nhon University attended the workshop and emphasized the importance of the project in enhancing regional competence in condition-based maintenance for wind turbines:
https://qnu.edu.vn/vi/hoat-dong-su-kien/nang-cao-nang-luc-bao-tri-dien-gio-cung-chuyen-gia-quoc-te-tai-qnu

Based on industry feedback, the workshops identified key knowledge gaps in wind farm condition monitoring that need to be addressed through updated courses, curricula, laboratory facilities, and training programs. The outcomes of these workshops will serve as baseline inputs for Work Packages 3, 4, and 5 in 2026.

Project meeting on September 22, 2025

Participants:

• Khang Huynh (UiA, Norway)
• Toomas Vaimann (TalTech, Estonia)
• Phuong Do (CTU, Vietnam)
• Tuan Ho Le (QNU, Vietnam)
• Montri Luengchavanon (PSU, Thailand)
• Woradej Manosroi (CMU, Thailand)

Key Points:

1. Study Case Reports
   • Dr. Montri (PSU) to finalize survey conclusions from Thailand.
   • Dr. Phuong Do (CTU) to update photos, participants, and summarize 3 windfarm surveys by QNU in Central Vietnam.
2. Faculty Exchange
   • Plans for PSU and CMU staff to exchange with UiA and TalTech.
   • UiA recommends exchanges include classes in renewable energy and meetings with supervisors.
3. Challenge Workshops
   • Workshop 1: Chiang Mai University, Thailand (Dec 1–3).
   • Workshop 2: Qui Nhon University, Vietnam (Dec 7–9).
   • Participants encouraged to deliver seminars/talks on wind energy to connect with other departments and raise project awareness.
4. Travel Coordination
   • UiA team has set travel dates and will coordinate with TalTech for support.
5. Host Institution Support
   • CMU and QNU (hosts of workshops) to provide guidance and practical information for visitors.
   • QNU to collect participant information per local regulations.
6. Faculty & Student Exchanges
   • PSU and CMU have begun exchanges.
   • CTU requested invitations for staff exchange.
   • QNU has no exchange plan yet—suggested to develop one.

Case studies for the ECO-Wind project were completed in August 2025. In Thailand, two wind farms and the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (Ministry of Energy) participated in the surveys. In Vietnam, more than ten wind farms and component suppliers contributed, providing valuable insights on the knowledge needed to strengthen competencies in condition-based maintenance for wind energy.

The case study report, led by Can Tho University, Vietnam, will soon be shared with project partners for review, ahead of submission to the EU by the end of September 2025.

Initial findings from Thailand highlight an urgent need for targeted training for wind farm personnel. More detailed results will be presented in the final report.

From July 15–25, 2025, Dr. Montri Luengchavanon and his team from Prince of Songkla University, along with Dr. Woradej Manosroi from Chiang Mai University, conducted interviews on the challenges and needs related to condition-based maintenance (CBM) of wind turbines. The visits took place at the EA Wind Hat-Kang-Han 3 site in Ranot, Songkhla Province, and at the Bo Thong Wind Farm Company in Mukdahan Province, Thailand.

Many thanks to the teams for their dedicated efforts in engaging with wind farm operators across Thailand. More activities are planned for August, as project teams continue working intensively on surveys in preparation for the report to the European Union in September.

On July 11–12, 2025, project coordinator Khang Huynh, Dr. Tuan Ho Le, and colleagues from Quy Nhon University visited two wind farms: CWP and Phuong Mai 3. The team conducted interviews to gain deeper insights into the challenges and potential solutions related to condition-based maintenance (CBM) of wind turbines located near the coast.

Wind farm operators and maintenance teams shared their knowledge and current CBM practices, and expressed interest in collaborating with the AIMwind project team in upcoming workshops and training courses. These initiatives aim to strengthen CBM expertise for the next generation of engineers.

Special thanks to the QNU team—Dr. Tuan Ho, Khoa Ngo, and Tham Nguyen—for their valuable contributions. We look forward to the workshop in Quy Nhon City in December 2025.

On June 28–30, 2025, a team from Can Tho University (CTU), led by Dr. Phuong Do and project coordinator Khang Huynh, visited two wind farms: Hoa Dong 2 in Soc Trang and the Ca Mau Wind Farm. The team conducted in-depth interviews and surveys to better understand the challenges and needs related to condition-based maintenance in wind energy operations.

Located in remote rural areas, the wind farms were not easily accessible — the team crossed two rivers via small ferries and even used motorbikes to reach their destinations. Despite the demanding journey, the wind farm operators and maintenance professionals generously shared their insights and expertise.

It was a valuable and memorable experience. Many thanks to the CTU team for their dedication and hard work!

Participants: Phuong Do, Lan Tran, Quoc Anh, Cuong Nguyen, Nguyen Tran and Khang Huynh.

Participants: All partner representatives
Progress Highlights:

1. The Can Tho University team has proposed a comprehensive questionnaire for the case study activities. Teams in Vietnam and Thailand will begin conducting surveys through interviews with wind farm staff starting next week, continuing through July 30. The project coordinator and CTU team will compile a case study report based on the survey findings.
2. A staff and student exchange plan from Chiang Mai University and Prince of Songkla University (Thailand) has been proposed for Autumn 2025.
3. Tentative dates for the challenge workshops in Thailand and Vietnam have been set for December 2025.
4. The next meeting is scheduled for August 2025.

On February 12, 2025, Assoc. Prof. Quang-Hieu Ngo, Dr. Phuong Do, and team members conducted a field trip to the Hoa Dong 2 and Hoa Binh 1 wind power plants in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. The visit aimed to understand the activities and challenges related to wind turbine maintenance and to develop a survey questionnaire. They shared photos to help promote the ECO-WIND project.

Kick-off meeting has been arranged in Grimstad from January 14-16, 2025.

Participants from UiA:

Khang Huynh, Rade Ciric, Joao Leal, Helga Lid, Sathyajith Mathew

Representatives from Partners:

Mr. Martin Sarap, Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia

Dr. Phuong Do, Can Tho University, Vietnam

Dr. Tuan-Ho Le, Quy Nhon University, Vietnam

Assoc. prof. Woradej Manosroi, Chiang Mai University, Thailand

Dr. Montri Luengchavanon, Prince of Songkla University , Thailand