Proper provision – Cut costs with effective spare parts management
Sourcing and procuring spare parts are major cost factors in the wind industry and require careful planning. After all, having too many spares can have just as negative an impact as having too few. But why is that? And what can operators do to find the right balance?
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.
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.
Make bearings go further – Wind energy could benefit from remanufacturing bearings
When a bearing approaches the end of its service life, it may seem logical to replace it with a new one. This has been the attitude in the wind energy sector for many years. But things might be about to change as remanufacturing bearings offers organizations the chance to become more competitive and boost uptime.
Digitized inventory – Optimizing spare parts management with software
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.
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?
