Engine & Turbine Technology
Sulzer off ers a specialist on-site wind turbine repair service
Smart approach to
TURBINE TECHNOLOGY
W
ind turbines can achieve an online availability of about 98%, giving operators approximately
one week in the year when planned maintenance can be completed. It is essential to use this time effi ciently, concentrating on the most important issues, which can be identifi ed using preventative maintenance techniques. Here, we look at the benefi ts of
creating a partnership with a specialist maintenance provider in terms of improved lifespan and reliability of wind turbines. Preserving the reliability of a wind turbine is essential for keeping it operational and cost eff ective. By working to prevent potential failures, condition monitoring and repair work can be planned ahead of time, ensuring that any downtime is minimised. T is concept can include predictive maintenance procedures such as vibration analysis as well as onsite repairs or modifi cations to resolves issues.
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Jason Horton discusses how to maximise the productivity and minimise the costs associated with wind turbines
Since wind turbines were fi rst commissioned on an industrial scale, the technology and design of the components has progressed rapidly, enabling units over 1MW to be installed with an expected working life of around 20 years. As each new design comes to market, it incorporates the lessons learned from its predecessors but also has the potential to introduce its own issues.
Planned and reactive strategies Creating a comprehensive maintenance strategy for wind turbines requires considerable expertise in the various parts of rotating equipment, the systems behind the electronic control panels, as well as fl exible fi eld service teams that can provide planned and reactive repair solutions to remote areas. However, the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) will generally only look after their own equipment, which can lead to a complex set of arrangements for each turbine. Developing a partnership with an experienced, independent provider can deliver a number of advantages, one
of which is access to its considerable experience in repairing a variety of wind turbine designs. Such an arrangement has the potential to maximise maintenance effi ciency and allow all the components within an installation to be covered by experienced engineers from a single source.
Independent repair specialists can work on components from a wide variety of wind turbine designs
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