Page 15 - North American Clean Energy January/February 2020 Issue

predictive maintenance providers can train artificial intelligence/machine learning algorithms to spot trends in turbine monitoring data, which could indicate potential problems. Expert engineers then analyze these trends
to diagnose issues well before they materialize. This prevents further damage to the component in question, and limits the consequences of a failure.
Predictive maintenance has a number of benefits. For instance, lead time on repairs can be extended by as much as 18 months. This means that orders of new components can be placed well ahead
of time, saving significant costs. Advance warning of potential problems also means that any repair and replacement work can be consolidated; there are fewer trips for personnel, lower crane hire costs (because they are planned), and less fuel used
by vessels transporting personnel and equipment. Using predictive maintenance can deliver savings of up to 30 percent on
a wind farm’s O&M budget. One of the biggest ongoing costs of a wind farm is O&M, so it is vital to ensure that savings are made without compromising on safety.
Predictive maintenance significantly reduces the risk of catastrophic failures. Instances where undetected failure of generator bearings result in generator shaft damage can cost an operator an additional $150,000 to repair. Similarly, undetected gearbox defects in parallel stage can
result in complete gearbox replacement - something that could have easily been avoided with predictive analytics.
Additionally, predictive maintenance makes it easier to manage machine performance, and keep turbines online until a suitable weather window can
be found to make repairs. Replacing a wind turbine gearbox when the wind
is still doesn’t result in lost revenue because the wind turbine wouldn’t be generating energy at that time anyway. With the flexibility to deal with problems strategically, O&M departments can maximize turbine uptime.
The bottom line is efficiency. Predictive maintenance can deliver an average reduction of 3 percent on the levelized
cost of electricity. Delivering lower cost energy is vital if wind energy is to build on its reputation as a reliable and cost- effective source of electricity. Headlines about idle wind turbines brought to a standstill by damage, wear and tear, or failure, risk losing public trust in wind farms and driving investment away. On the other hand, by showing it can reduce costs, the industry builds confidence in production technologies, making the industry more attractive to investors.
Bruce Hall is the CEO
of ONYX InSight, which delivers smart predictive analytics to help wind energy asset owners and
managers make informed decisions.
ONYX InSight
/// onyxinsight.com
Powerful new wind turbine concepts
Dutch company VerVent, has an offshore wind turbine that is scalable up to 16MW comprising a 1.5 stage bevel-type gearbox and a counter rotating generator. This design comprises minimal moving parts as well as a limited amount of active material, i.e. permanent magnets which are in use. Their new design is compelling and noteworthy because it minimizes technology and commercial risks by utilizing a set of supply chain partners including Siemens, Renk, Eolotec, Geislinger, and Siempelkamp in an effort to maximize margins and minimize
Cost of Energy (COE). This is achieved through a drivetrain architecture which has been used on other types of high- torque applications in the past and is being adapted for use in wind energy. Coupled with a stringent testing regime, the VerVent technology can be a market- ready solution in as little as 24 months, which allows this technology to be fully exploited in emerging offshore markets with high growth potential including
the United States, Japan, Viet Nam, South Korea, Turkey, India, Australia, Azerbaijan, and Brazil.
VerVent /// www.vervent.nl
Cable entry system offering
LUTZE Inc introduces the new Cablefix X cable entry system to complement their existing cable and cable management portfolio. Featuring multi-layered X-seal technology, Cablefix X is designed to simplify installation without compromising ingress protection. The X membrane seals are closed by default, eliminating the need to plug unused entry points. These cable entry systems achieve Type 4X, 12, and 13 with a protection class of IP65. Cablefix X is available with 12 or 23 entry points and provides a space saving alternative to traditional cable glands. Cablefix X requires only one enclosure cut out and can be installed onto enclosures of any wall thickness with four mounting bolts. For enclosures with a wall thickness of 1.5mm, Cablefix X is available with a snap-in mounting option.
LUTZE Inc. /// www.lutze.com
Because it’s a long way down.
PDQ2TM System
The PDQ2 is Sterling’s lightweight evacuation system for use in all work-at-height environments. The PDQ2 descent-control device and the 6 mm XTECTM heat-resistant Technora® rope form the core of this system whose total weight is under 10 lb. Rated for a user-load of 310 lb, the fully-assembled kit comes ready for deployment and its slim profile means it can be stored compactly and carried by each technician until needed.
For Sterling gear, talk to your employer or visit SterlingRope.com/Work
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