Wind Today - Q1 2008 - (Page 14)

O&M Considerations for Wind Farms Options and Expectations for Operations and Maintenance Service Providers The following article is based on a presentation given by Randall Grayson, Minnesota area manager for enXco, Chandler, MN (507-677-2369). Grayson spoke at CanWEA’s Seminar on Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance in Montreal, QC, Nov. 21-22, 2007. Operations and maintenance (O&M) consists of plant operations (including switching); scheduled maintenance for turbines and balance of plant; unscheduled maintenance; and subcontracting for, and management of, specialty services as required. O&M responsibilities also include procurement, inventory control, and receipt of spare parts; compliance with permits and interconnection agreements; interface with landowners and local government officials; and disposal and tracking of hazardous material. The list of O&M responsibilities continues to cover warranty administration; accounting; proper insurance coverages; hiring, training, and supervision of the plant staff; and provision of detailed reports to the owner or lenders. In order to manage such a broad list of responsibilities, wind farm O&M service providers need a wind industryspecific safety program with windindustry-specific, and equipment specific procedures. This includes a documented quality control (QC) program, documented training and qualification program, and procurement and inventory systems. Experience with “fleet” and industry knowledge is critical. Service providers also need financial strength, good insurance programs, and enough trained wind technicians to meet unplanned needs. Look A Look at enXco Service Corporation enXco Service Corporation has been providing O&M services to the wind industry for 20 years. The company currently has over 3,800 wind turbines under contract. More than 220 full-time, qualified wind technicians, plus support staff, work with the oversight of enXco’s “24/7” Operations Control Center located in Fenton, MN. enXco Service Corporation provides detailed procedures for each piece of equipment used, a comprehensive safety program specialized for the wind industry, formal wind technician training and qualification program, an independent quality control function, and an experienced procurement department with extensive sourcing knowledge. Crucial O&M services include 24/7 monitoring and 24/7 call-out response. 24/7 monitoring is necessary to manage remotely re-settable faults and curtailment. 24/7 call-out response is required for push button resets and to call out technicians for repairs. O&M Options Wind farm owners have options for meeting operations and maintenance needs. • Owners can perform O&M services themselves. • Turbine manufacturers can manage Response No. 141 14 WIND TODA Y First Quarter 2008 http://www.malloyelectric.com http://www.malloyelectric.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wind Today - Q1 2008

Wind Today - Q1 2008 Contents Windpower 2008 U.S. Energy Map Canada Energy Map Global Report Options and Expectations for O&M Service Providers O&M Safety Issues for Wind Farms Guanting Wind Farm to Power 2008 Olympics Operating Economics of Wind Farms Long-Term Operating Costs Post-Warranty Energy Bill Incentives May Have Another Chance Wind Gears: A Closer Look at the Drive Train Elk River Wind Farm Should Lightning Be A Concern For Wind Farms? Interview: Steve Sawyer Zephyr Powers Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort WT News: United States & Canada Interview: Willett Kempton Centennial Wind Energy WT Transmission: Southwest Power Pool EPA's Top 25 Wind Power Projects 2008 RPS Update Mark Scher, MSE Power Systems Richard Legault, Helimax Second Wind Henkels & McCoy NRG Systems Apterra Technologies, Inc. Wind Resource Maps: Michigan and New York Calendar Glossary Product Surveys Ad Index

Wind Today - Q1 2008

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