The next chapter – Wind energy in the post-pandemic world
Now that the dust has settled after the global pandemic, the wind energy sector — much like other industries — is navigating through a period of transformation and adaptation. This article explores how the wind industry should or is addressing challenges to continue its growth and maintain its vital role in our energy mix.
Supply chain transparency – Introducing a new solution for streamlining O&M
With the wind energy industry facing increased competition and decreasing margins, SKF and Boralex have teamed up. Their joint project, called the Wind Turbine Reliability Dashboard, will help predict maintenance requirements and streamline supply chain management, lowering overall operating costs and increasing profitability in the process.
No surprises – The relationship between planning, spare parts, and uptime
At first glance, it would appear vital to stock critical wind turbine components to cover potential breakdowns and minimize downtime. Unfortunately, this isn’t always possible, due to financial constraints or inadequate storage. But what if stockpiling components wasn’t as important as it appeared? Rather, careful maintenance planning and diagnostics may be the deciding factors for consistent uptime.
Only the best will do – What do performance-based contracts offer wind energy?
When a failure occurs in a wind turbine, maintenance tasks can be costly and take time to complete. But what if there was a way to proactively assess costs, risks, opportunities, and benefits to positively impact the levelized cost of energy (LCOE)? Performance-based contracts for operation and maintenance could usher in a new era of reliability in wind energy.
Construction in wind energy – Key considerations when building a wind farm
The planning and preparation that goes into constructing an operational wind farm is enormous. From choosing the right location to installing the turbines and commissioning the facility, there’s a lot for organizations to consider. Where do you start when building a wind farm?
A smart approach to spares – Harmonizing a maintenance and spare parts strategy
Planning maintenance and having the right inventory is often a challenge. Operators can end up with too much capital invested in stock or not enough to perform repairs in a timely manner. However, adopting best practices and the emergence of Logistics 4.0 present clear opportunities for cost reduction.
An untapped source – The role of big data in the wind energy industry
Big data is taking its hold on the 21st century. We are seeing its prominence in all areas of society. But the wind power sector seems to be somewhat behind. Why is this, and how can big data contribute to the industry achieving its ultimate goal of improving the levelized cost of energy?
A fine balancing act – The importance of correctly managing spare parts
When managing spare parts stock, companies face a significant challenge: maintenance requirements vs. financial resources. This can be a difficult task as mismanagement of either can have serious consequences. So what can operators do to ensure they have this under control?
Video: Let’s talk part 2 – The challenges facing wind power in China
China is a leading nation in wind energy. However, the country is currently experiencing the challenge of finding qualified specialists for maintenance and servicing of turbines. SKF talks to Ni Da from Chenghai New Energy Tech Ltd. for insights on the current situation in China.
