Operations & Maintenance

Towards the end of 2011 the U.S’s total installed wind power capacity stood at around 43,641 MW, with Canada adding a further 5,177 MW.

Now that North America nears 50,000 MWs of wind power in operation, it is vital that wind farm owner/operators get the most out of their O&M expenditure, maximize generation and ensure the safety of their employees and contractors on site.

The questionable long-term growth of North American wind power due to the termination of the Section 1603 Treasury grant programme and the uncertainty surrounding of the extension of Production Tax Credit (PTC) has seen the wind industry turn its focus from new installations to the operation and maintenance of existent wind farms.

As a result, there has been a surge in the number of companies which offer services to this highly competitive side of the wind business. Wind farm owner / operators now have to decide which for of operational strategy or service contract is most suitable for their wind farm’s individual needs. Wind farm owner / operators must:

• Choose the right O&M strategy - minimize O&M cost and maximize generation

• Select the best means for transition to post warranty operation
• Evaluate the most appropriate predictive or preventative technology
• Understand how to integrate to the grid and avoid curtailment
• Be aware of current technologies for repair, retrofit, upgrades, and life extension

However, with so many options for the operation and maintenance of wind farms, both inside and outside warranty, service providers need to be highly cost competitive when they approach their perspective clients. The impetus therefore is to understand a wind farm owner / operators O&M budget, and work towards the provision of a service that looks at a wind farms entire life span.

A recent report, produced by Wind Energy Update explains “in the 2002–2003 time frame O&M costs had been estimated at $15,000–$20,000 per 1.5MW unit, but instead the true cost average is 40,000–$50,000 per unit per year, after warranty. Another source estimated O&M expenses at $40,000 per 2MW unit, with $1.5 million per unit being the worst-case scenario” so rather than underestimate costs, suppliers need to be realistic and thorough.

DATA AND STATISTICS FROM REAL O&M EXPERIENCE

In response to these urgent needs, Wind Energy Update has just launched its largest global event - the 4th Wind Energy Operations and Maintenance Summit USA – where wind operators, IPPs and OEMs will exclusively reveal their O&M successes and key lessons learned throughout the lifecycle of their existent projects.

With commitment from already eight of North America’s largest wind owner/operators the event will focus on the key issues that relate to the reduction the OPEX of wind farm O&M to achieve the maximum power generation possible.

Only the current and core O&M issues will be discussed:

• End of warranty options (EOW)
• Retrofit technology & Repowering
• Advanced Monitoring Technologies
• Life extension of critical components
• Major Part Failure, Upgrading & Repair
• Grid Integration & Curtailment
• Balance of Plants

The high calibre of the speaker faculty for the 4th Annual Wind Energy Operations and Maintenance Summit USA makes it the most significant wind energy event for 2012. Companies confirmed include Iberdrola Renewables, Duke Energy, EDP Renewables, Infigen Energy, Edison Mission, TransAlta, Wind Capital Group, enXco, GE, Acciona, NERC, Foundation Engineering, David Brown. 

The event promises to deliver wind O&M strategies for wind companies whether they are big or small, or new or established.

For more information on this event, speakers, agenda and workshop, visit the website: http://www.windenergyupdate.com/operations-maintenance-usa/

Or contact

Jon Harman

jon@windenergyupdate.com
1-800-814-3459
+44 (0)207 375 7577