Maintenance Models Applied to Wind Turbines. A Comprehensive Overview

Abstract

Wind power generation has been the fastest-growing energy alternative in recent years, however, it still has to compete with cheaper fossil energy sources. This is one of the motivations to constantly improve the efficiency of wind turbines and develop new Operation and Maintenance (O&M) methodologies. The decisions regarding O&M are based on different types of models, which cover a wide range of scenarios and variables and share the same goal, which is to minimize the Cost of Energy (COE) and maximize the profitability of a wind farm (WF). In this context, this review aims to identify and classify, from a comprehensive perspective, the different types of models used at the strategic, tactical, and operational decision levels of wind turbine maintenance, emphasizing mathematical models (MatMs). The investigation allows the conclusion that even though the evolution of the models and methodologies is ongoing, decision making in all the areas of the wind industry is currently based on artificial intelligence and machine learning models.

Framework for Managing Maintenance of Wind Farms Based on a Clustering Approach and Dynamic Opportunistic Maintenance

“…Wind energy is one of the main sources of power generation in Europe with a vast majority of installed capacity in the form of onshore Wind Farms (WFs) [2]. For the profitability of wind energy projects to be ensured, it is essential to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCoE) to its minimum [2,3]. Aiming at increasing the energy yield of WFs, the LCoE should be reduced, and this can be done by directly addressing the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and the Operational Expenditure (OPEX) of the projects [2].…”

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Energies 2019, 12, 2036 2 of 17 account for up to one quarter of the proportion of the LCoE, with 80% of this expenses directly attributed to maintenance [10][11][12].In view of the maintenance role in the LCoE and thus in the profitability of WFs, it is important to consider models for optimization of O&M plans and decisions [2]. The evolution of maintenance models and methodologies have kept pace with the constant technological evolution of Wind Turbines (WTs) [3]. According to [3], the goal of all the approaches and methodologies is determining the most adequate maintenance plan, the management of the resources, and the aspects related to Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) of the WTs.Within such context, the WF operators are bound to develop new techniques and decision-support tools for optimal maintenance strategies, if they strive to maximize the profitability of the investment [8].

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“…The evolution of maintenance models and methodologies have kept pace with the constant technological evolution of Wind Turbines (WTs) [3]. According to [3], the goal of all the approaches and methodologies is determining the most adequate maintenance plan, the management of the resources, and the aspects related to Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) of the WTs.Within such context, the WF operators are bound to develop new techniques and decision-support tools for optimal maintenance strategies, if they strive to maximize the profitability of the investment [8]. Accordingly, maintenance management discipline acquires a highly significant position since it provides a comprehensive perspective for the management of WTs, allowing for optimal maintenance strategies which reduce maintenance costs while maximizing availability [3,5].The decision-making process in the asset management field has been divided into strategic (long-term), tactic (medium-term), and operational (short-term) to achieve excellence in maintenance [13][14][15].…”

“…In view of the maintenance role in the LCoE and thus in the profitability of WFs, it is important to consider models for optimization of O&M plans and decisions [2]. The evolution of maintenance models and methodologies have kept pace with the constant technological evolution of Wind Turbines (WTs) [3]. According to [3], the goal of all the approaches and methodologies is determining the most adequate maintenance plan, the management of the resources, and the aspects related to Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) of the WTs.…”

“…Within such context, the WF operators are bound to develop new techniques and decision-support tools for optimal maintenance strategies, if they strive to maximize the profitability of the investment [8]. Accordingly, maintenance management discipline acquires a highly significant position since it provides a comprehensive perspective for the management of WTs, allowing for optimal maintenance strategies which reduce maintenance costs while maximizing availability [3,5].…”