Unforeseen subsurface conditions: Mitigating the risks of what can’t be seen
Construction contracts require owners and contractors to accept risk as part of the project construction. Two closely related risks on wind energy projects are...
Listen to the story that turbine data is trying to tell you
I don’t want to waste my time, labor, or money doing unnecessary things.
This year I have spent much of my time here talking about...
Inside NREL’s National Wind Technology Center
“You make ‘em, we’ll break ‘em” could be the motto of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC). Located just...
Tower Ring method for cleaning wind towers significantly raises safety and environmental standards
Health and Safety experts will tell you: “The best way to reduce risk, is to eliminate the risk.” Pretty simple logic, right? Try applying...
Complete preparation goes a long way in preventing costly foundation failures
A recent report by GCube, a prominent renewable energy industry insurance provider, listed the top five categories of wind project insurance claims in 2012:...
Schedule contracted maintenance tasks well in advance of your completion deadline
As more and more wind power plants come off of warranty, scheduling for specialty sub-contractors becomes an issue.
Your approach scheduling services in the wind...
A case study surrounding the impact of Vortex Generators on wind turbine performance
Wind farm owners are constantly seeking new technology to help optimize and increase Annual Energy Production (AEP) and while Vortex Generators (VGs) have existed...
A digital camera can be a powerful tool in giving a total ‘snapshot’ of...
Technology has become a part of our everyday lives. Use of technology in maintaining wind turbines is a prime example. One technological tool we...
Lowering the cost of wind energy through composite technology and quality-by-design
Energy has always been pivotal to the progress and sustainability of civilization. This has never been more true than today and we are facing...
In drawing up your component transportation playbook, consider choosing an experienced third-party logistics provider
At one point, all companies have internally analyzed the option to have their suppliers own the transportation of components or to manage it themselves....
Getting turbine components where they need to be
Although wind power is the fastest-growing energy source, in many instances the skills required to move components to the project site have not kept...
Ropes and cable-suspended baskets represent viable, efficient access method alternatives
I was talking with a fellow passenger on a flight recently and brought up that I work in the wind industry. She asked me:...
Having a systematic ‘Who, What, When, Why, and How’ data strategy beforehand is critical...
As a wind project ends and groups gather to analyze the outcome of the endeavor, they soon realize they were not capturing all of...
Testing generator winding insulation is a wise addition to your maintenance schedule
Insulation testing of your generator windings is a data acquisition method that—if completed during regular maintenance cycles—can help you understand the health of your...
Industrial Ethernet is a key component as wind farm communication needs expand
As the use of wind farms continues to grow worldwide, technology is a key component to keeping wind farms up and running at top...
Defining supply chain management can be confusing
What is this thing called supply chain management? Sometimes the term seems so vast and multifaceted that it is hard to get your head...
Maximizing long-term integrity of turbine foundation integrity requires attention to fundamental aspects of construction...
There are four major areas of wind project construction: civil (roads, wind turbine foundations, etc.); electrical collection system; wind turbine erection; and high voltage...
Avoiding contamination and performing grease sample analysis during low-speed bearing maintenance help mitigate chances...
On most wind turbines today, bearings outside of the main gearbox are lubricated with grease. Grease is typically pumped into a bearing with a...
Computerized maintenance management systems offer streamlined approach to maintenance and integration
It wasn’t so long ago that I witnessed paper service reports being stored at the base of a tower. For many organizations, things haven’t...
Making accurate comparisons and a greater understanding of the budgeting process can aid in...
As the saying goes, “the devil is in the details.” This holds true when budgeting a transportation project. Items are often left out of...
