Exposed to both environmental risks & events (rain, ice, hail, snow...), blades are amongst the most at-risk component of a wind turbine.
Turbines downtime doubles over the years: 2.8 days per year in the first 5 years in operations, compared to 5.3 in the last 5 years. Blade failure can contribute to up to 25% of the downtime, particularly in the second half of a normal turbine life.
However, blades usually do their work in a discreet manner without claiming a major role. Very frequently when a maintenance budget needs to be reduced, the blade is one of the first elements to be sacrificed. But that is a great error. To inspect and to repair small deteriorations of blades regularly is one of the most effective strategies to avoid major increments in future OPEX.
Principles
Step 1: Audit & Risk Categorization Report
Risk Assessment audit
Greensolver performs an in-depth blade Risk Assessment Audit, to detect risks areas. The audit includes:
- Historical data & defect history
- Manufacturing process
- Wind factors: wind shear, turbulence, orography
- Meteorological events: thunder, icing, erosion impact
- Blade inspection conclusions
- Noise impacts
Risk Categorization report
Based on the audit performed, we provide a full Risk Categorization Report, including:
- Asset overall risk categorization (from low to critical)
- Risk mitigation technical solutions to be implemented
Step 2: Technical solution implementation
We implement the approved technical solutions on the blades. We continuously monitor technologies available on the market to provide you with the most advanced technologies.
Whatever the problem is, we always identify and design a tailor-made solution to be implemented on your blades:
- HD blade inspection
- Thunder detector
- Erosion protection tape
- Vortex generator
Step 3: Monitoring & update
For the duration of the contract, we:
- Monitor blade activities
- Monitor implemented technical solutions
- Provide a Risk Categorization Report, updated on a yearly basis
- Identify performance improvements opportunities
Step 4: Constant monitoring & update
We monitor your blade activity and provide you with an upgraded improvement plan on a regular basis.
A solution to be implemented anytime during the lifetime of the blade
Construction
- Manufacturing process quality audit
- Negotiate insurance contracts
- Blades taking over
Operation
- Renegotiate O&M contracts
- Decrease insurance fees
- Reduce O&M fees
Due Diligence
- Assist buyer with blade related risks
- Blades red flag audit
- Blade inspections
Advantages
Bladesolver is a 360° solution designed to improve your asset performance, through which you will be able to:
- Corrective actions
- Potential repairs
- Production loss
- Production & performance
- Asset reliability & lifetime
- Maintenance program
- Annual insurance costs
- Blade risks
- OPEX