Modern technology can be efficiently and profitably utilized to achieve excellence in Asset Management of Wind parks, in order to maximize production of Power.
Utilising state of art systems to estimate the health of the turbine, collecting data signals on a continuous & real-time basis, using simple man- machine interface, presents an opportunity to the O&M professionals to manage the plant effectively. It involves numerous steps to include the following:
- Remote capture of asset intelligence
- Integrating ERP
- Performing analytics utilizing extensive experience & knowledge of Wind technology
- Arriving at diagnostics conclusions
- Executing precise repair/maintenance actions
In this manner, maintenance efforts are directed towards only those aspects which actually require them, thus reducing maintenance costs & enhancing both availability and efficiency. A complete command and control over the assets, using a contemporary IT enabled asset management platform would ultimately fetch distinction for the plant to result into 3 key deliverables as under: –
1. Park Yield Maximisation –
Based on feedback from a vigilant, transparent and pro-active system of plant governance, all efforts of the O&M team get focused in the right direction to ensure peak performance levels of wind turbines. It ensures, that though un-necessary periodic maintenance activities are eliminated, yet generation outputs are maximized. This Smart O&M process utilising a combination of multiple latest technologies coupled with smart data-analytics techniques, executed by highly experienced engineers, deft in the field of Wind Turbines, is a potent combination for “Park Yield Maximisation.â€
2. Securing Asset Longevity –
Enhancing the life of an asset (WECs in our case) in a manner, that it continues to produce power in a sustained manner, over the prolonged lifespan, efficiently, would be an ultimate goal of an Asset Management Programme of the first order. This, in fact, is achieved by ensuring close monitoring of all major performance parameters during the entire life of the machine.
Once an asset crosses the “Infant Mortality Phaseâ€, & enters the “Random failure Region†of the bath tub curve, achieving asset longevity, entails the following activities:
- Timely replenishments/ adjustments
- Close & continuous monitoring of performance parameters to attend to deviations immediately.
- Utilising highly skilled & trained manpower.
- Anticipation and correction of “Random Failures†well before the onset of secondary damages.
- Incorporate “Retro Fitments/Design Improvements†by adopting an intelligent feedback loop
3. Reduction in O&M cost per kWh –
The third important factor of an Asset Management programme will be to ensure a sustainable reduction in O&M costs, per KWh. This is achieved by making extensive use of data analytics, and diagnostics tools.
Real-time performance data picked up directly from the source, analysed by data analytics techniques, is further used to arrive at decisive & accurate asset management decisions. This data-driven approach envisages asset & engineering base to respond to the needs instantaneously, as they emerge.
Pareto analysis further assists in resolving the few issues causing major revenue loss, thus achieving maximum earnings from minimum efforts. That directly impacts the aim of reduction in O&M costs per KWh.
In the long run, such an approach to Asset Management using analytics to enhance the reliability of the turbines, ensures little or no failure during their entire life cycles. It further results in identifying design inadequacies, need for product improvement & upgradations, further giving impetus towards reduced 0&M costs per KWH.
POWERCON’s well-established Asset Management systems take care of all the above aspects, securing asset longevity….click here for more information