Wind turbine functionality is highly reliant on fully operational bearings. However, these components undergo significant strain and deteriorate. Fully understanding failure modes in turbine bearings can be a challenge. But there are ways to reduce the likelihood of breakdowns.

Many operators order replacement parts on an item-by-item basis. This can be effective but does have limitations since the performance of the total system is not understood when considering items in an inventory individually. Innovative software may hold the key to fine tuning stock levels and expenses on spare parts and ensuring wind farms always have just what they need.

The wind energy sector is experiencing significant growth. As a result, the demand for qualified personnel is also rising. However, positions are often difficult to fill due to the high levels of expertise required. What can the sector do to deal with this skills gap?

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.

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?

The advantages of wind are clear: it is an inexhaustible and environmentally friendly energy source. Furthermore, the technology to harness its power is already well established. However, although wind is a proven eco-efficient energy source, why is it struggling to achieve status as a cost-efficient one?

An increasingly volatile climate and powerful winds are an endurance test not only for people, but also for machines. But what would appear to be a disadvantage could actually be a significant opportunity for an entire industry – at the very least for those whose wind turbines can withstand extreme conditions.

A large number of wind turbines have been in operation for many years, leading to inevitable wear. At face value, this may be considered problematic – but on closer inspection, aging wind turbines could present a world of opportunity.

Operation and maintenance (O&M) costs represent a large portion of expenditure for wind farm operators. Failure to implement an effective strategy may result in increased costs or machinery failure. For this reason, it is important to take a statistical approach.