Operational Expenditure Optimisation utilising Condition Monitoring for Wind Parks

The true economic value of a condition based maintenance strategy for offshore wind farms has yet to be calculated. The paper published at the PMAPS 2012 conference is seen as a first step to integrate both concepts [1]. So far, studies have focused on either the functionality of the turbine, or on the structural integrity, but not both. This PhD will be conducted jointly with the department Safety of Structures at BAM in Berlin and will involve closing the research gap which exists between reliability modelling of wind turbine functionality and modelling of structural integrity. Additionally, the research will answer key questions about the economic viability of condition based maintenance being posed by operators and 3rd party O&M providers. The research will be supported by the industrial partners Vestas - American Wind Technology, Inc. and Romax. Both partners are keen to see value being quantified through modelling, and will be providing data and expertise as required. The result will be a comprehensive approach which will facilitate quantification of the overall economic benefits of condition monitoring. With a case study, the industrial application of the approach will be shown and the benefits will be demonstrated. The student will have the opportunity to conduct 6 months of the PhD on site at BAM and the PhD will be jointly managed by staff from both institutions.

Requirement/ Key skills
• Thoroughly research and understand research strands on reliability modelling and economic modelling of condition monitoring benefit for both turbine functionality and structural integrity.
• Produce an innovative solution combining the concepts of the structural reliability and integrity with the reliability approaches for the turbine functionality.
• Define a comprehensive technique for fully evaluating the economic benefits of condition monitoring for structural integrity and turbine functionality.
• Conduct a comprehensive case study with data provided by the industrial partner to show the benefits of developed approaches
• Publish and discuss the approach at international conferences and in scientific journals