Value-Centric Approaches to Design, Operations, and Maintenance of Wind Turbines

Abstract

Wind turbine maintenance is emerging as an unexpectedly high component of turbine operating cost and there is an increasing interest in managing this cost. Here, we present an alternative view of maintenance as a value-driver, and develop an optimization algorithm to maximize the value delivered by maintenance. We model the stochastic deterioration of the turbine in two dimensions: the deterioration rate, and the extent of deterioration, and view maintenance as an operator that moves the turbine to an improved state in which it can generate more power and so earn more revenue. We then use a standard net present value (NPV) approach to calculate the value of the turbine by deducting the costs incurred in the installation, operations and maintenance from the revenue due to the power generation. The application of our model is demonstrated using several scenarios with a focus on blade deterioration. We evaluate the value delivered by implementing blade condition monitoring systems (CMS). A higher fidelity CMS allows the blade state to be determined with higher precision. With this improved state information, an optimal maintenance strategy can be derived. The difference between the value of the turbine with and without CMS can be interpreted as the value of the CMS. The results indicate that a higher fidelity (and more expensive) condition monitoring system (CMS) does not necessarily yield the highest value, and, that there is an optimal level of fidelity that results in maximum value. The contributions of this work are twofold. First, it is a practical approach to wind turbine valuation and operation that takes operating and market conditions into account. This work should therefore be useful to wind farm operators and investors. Second, it shows how the value of a CMS can be explicitly assessed. This work should therefore be useful to CMS manufacturers and wind farm operators.