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...
A wind project construction and design checklist for owners
Successful wind projects don’t just happen. They result from the efforts of a large number of talented people over several years. However, the overall...
Meticulous attention to turbine blades are key elements in a successful maintenance plan
The basic structure of a blade is made with adhesive, strings, and ropes. If you take a rope and give one end to your...
Corrosion protection for offshore turbines requires proper resources and painstaking attention to developing an...
Multiple parties are involved in the delivery of successful corrosion protection of offshore wind turbines. The steel builder, paint applicator, and paint supplier are...
Success in supply chain management depends on how well you adhere to these seven...
Logistics and supply chain management often comes down to how well you execute the fundamentals. No magic here; just the ability to out-execute your...
Planning for safety and quality are key to maximizing budget, schedule, and wind power...
Everyone pays a lot of attention to the four major construction issues: safety, quality, schedule, and budget. Of these, safety and quality are typically...
Consider the multiple benefits of condition monitoring equipment
Some of the biggest push back on condition monitoring equipment (CME) comes from the financial groups in wind turbine organizations. Mainly because the equipment...
Technical inspections of wind turbine generators — a necessity, not an option
Three parameters fundamentally influence the annual energy production of a wind turbine: average annual wind conditions; technical characteristics (power performance); and turbine availability. While...
Learning to work efficiently with Contract Logistics Service Providers may become essential
The past 12 months has brought great change to America’s wind power industry. If I had to summarize it with one word, it would...
PTC extension may lead to additional construction in winter months
The extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) in the first few days of 2013 was cause for post-Christmas celebration for companies in the...
Reviewing the wind turbine theory of operation for better understanding is necessary for proper...
My career in wind started in 1985 as a wind turbine technician. Back then, U.S. Wind Power was the largest wind turbine manufacture in...
How to perform proper inspection of wind turbine components as end-of-warranty approaches
Over the 20 to 25 year design life of a wind turbine, usually only the first two are covered under warranty. As the end...
Measuring and accounting for the gap between expectations and results
A few years ago while teaching a graduate class in supply chain management at the local university, an inquisitive student asked me this, “Professor...
