Wind Today - Q4 2008 - (Page 14) Hauf’s team re-conditions or re-engineers components for the wind turbines. In the San Gorgonio Pass, 2,300 acres of private and 3,187 acres of BLM administered public lands are presently developed for wind energy production. Palm Springs, CA farms in Texas (Buffalo Gap), Oregon (Condon), Minnesota (Lake Benton I), Iowa (Storm Lake II), and Wyoming (Foote Creek and Rock River). Merritt Brown became general manager of AES Wind Generation’s Palm Springs facility in North Palm Springs, CA (760-329-6431), in November 2007. The company’s San Gorgonio wind holdings consist of 10 wind farms which were developed and built by SeaWest Wind Energy from 1984 to 2003. AES acquired SeaWest in January 2005. AES also provides third party management of operations and maintenance (MOMA) for other wind farms in the area. “We do hands-on operation and maintenance (O&M) for eight projects,” says Brown. “We manage two other projects, compiling data and reviewing reports for their owners.” As general manager, Brown directs more than 90 people who are managed by team leaders in the areas of project operations; high voltage, facilities, and safety; purchasing, warehouse, fabrication, heavy equipment and electronics; performance engineering and data; and special programs. “I handle the contract side of our business,” says Brown, “and the team leaders manage the projects and handle the execution of our day-to-day work loads.” He says the team leaders direct lead technicians who manage assignments and supervision of field technicians. Each team at AES’ Palm Springs facility, Brown says, contributes to the company’s responsibilities for wind farm management and maintenance, component supply, and technician training. Management Rick Zavits, team leader, project operations for the Mountain View I and II wind farms, is a 14-year wind industry veteran and manages the two farms for AES while also working as a subcontractor for wind turbine manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, New York, NY (212-969-9000). AES purchased Mountain View I and II from Bicent Power, Easton, MD, in March 2008. The wind farms had been developed and built by SeaWest in 2001 and still operate under a 10-year turbine warranty from Mitsubishi. “I’m a Mitsubishi warranty contractor, but also an AES employee,” says Zavits. He explains that he supervises AES maintenance and repair crews that work on the Mitsubishi turbines, but he also answers to the manufacturer. “Mitsubishi’s site representative will direct me regarding the work he would like to see done, and I get it off to the crews and make sure we’re delivering a quality product for the manufacturer,” says Zavits. In addition to his responsibilities to Mitsubishi, Zavits ensures that both the owners—AES—and the manufacturer— Mitsubishi—receive accurate reports on how the project is running and what work is performed each day. Maintenance Rick Kolitz has worked for SeaWest and AES for 11 years. Kolitz is the team leader, project operations, for four managed projects. Rick Zavits’ son, James, works as a lead technician for Kolitz. “In this industry, you’ll find people either went to school together or they’re related,” says Brown. Kolitz and his team do maintenance and repair work on turbines for four wind farms comprised of different brands and sizes of turbines. According to Brown, each team leader and the technicians he supervises WIND TODA Y Fourth Quarter 2008 Merritt Brown, general manager of AES Wind Generation’s Palm Springs facility. Rick Zavits, team leader, project operations for Mountain View I and II. 14
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