The application would not only predict the component’s lifetime but also reveal its maintenance requirements.
According to the reports, operations and maintenance are expected to result in 25% of the total cost of a wind energy project and increase in the number of projects forecast the need for turbine operators to develop programs that help reduce costs and improve profitability.
The companies have jointly developed the Equivalent Operating Hours (EOH) program to forecast the remaining useful life of the most important drivetrain components of wind turbines.
The programme uses predictive methods based on advanced algorithms to offer real-time forecast updates for the components’ remaining life by using parameters like service history, local operating conditions and the effects of transient events.
Romax contract relationship manager Nigel Parlor said without planning beforehand, maintenance of offshore wind turbines can be time consuming and costly.
"With the EOH programme, we aim to provide wind turbine owners and operators with the ability to pre-empt when turbine drivetrain components are coming to their end of life and consequently be in a position to schedule any maintenance in advance, leading to significant cost savings."
The companies had commenced the program as an innovation development project on one of E.ON’s offshore wind farms in 2010 and have tested its predictive maintenance models.
The EOH program has been extended to a further two onshore and two offshore projects following its promising results and it is now slated for completion in 2017.
