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.
Air support – Wind energy enters the drone age
In recent years, drones have become much more present in our society. They are used for tasks such as homeland security, shooting videos, and plans are even in place for them to deliver packages. This trend is now coming into action in the wind energy sector.
Video: Lubrication system repair – Troubleshooting and replacing pumping elements
When a lubrication system fails, it is usually due to a defective pump unit. Replacing this part is significantly cheaper than replacing the system itself. However, you need to get to the root cause of the defect to prevent it reoccurring. In this video, you will learn how to find the cause of an issue and fit a new pumping element.
Optimal protection – How industrial seals can enhance wind turbine reliability
Despite being one of the less noticeable wind turbine features, industrial seals are vital for protecting critical components. They act as the first line of defense against external conditions and contamination while keeping the lubricant in the bearing housing. In this article, the Wind Farm Management Blog will explain the role of seals in turbines.
Cybersecure operation – The role of cybersecurity in wind energy
Big data, remote monitoring, and process automation are becoming more prominent in wind energy. As a result of many systems and machines being networked, the likelihood of cyberthreats increases. What can operators do to protect wind farms in the digital age?
Set up for success – Commonly used bearing arrangements in turbines
Wind turbine design has developed rapidly in the 21st century. Modern turbines are larger than ever before, experience greater forces, and can generate more power. As a result, their bearings are put under higher levels of strain. Selecting the right main shaft bearing arrangement can be a hard decision.
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.
A day in the life – The duties of a modern wind turbine service technician
There are a diverse range of career paths in wind energy. As a result, there is a wide variety of responsibilities to ensure reliable wind farm operation. The first part of this series looks at the duties of a wind turbine service technician.
Fighting against fakes – The hazardous implications of counterfeit bearings
Sometimes a deal can seem too good to be true. When it comes to bearings this is often the case. Unfortunately, there are many counterfeit bearings on the market. It may not be an issue that consumers are aware of or give much consideration. However, the consequences of purchasing fakes can be disastrous. But what are the dangers?