Performance & condition assessment

Wind farm owners, operators and lenders naturally want to know how their asset is performing – and how to maintain and optimise its performance. GL Garrad Hassan provides the answers by periodically assessing the performance and condition of a wind farm’s turbines in terms of availability, key performance metrics, power curve and wind speed against budgeted levels or expected trends. Through interpreting and validating the results of power curve and availability warranty tests GL Garrad Hassan can also help turbine manufacturers to meet the performance obligations set out in the turbine supply agreement.

The monitoring service GL Garrad Hassan provides includes a review of operating reports and other relevant information to reveal potential issues, and an in-depth analysis of the high-resolution SCADA data to identify and investigate specific phenomena such as underperformance or turbine malfunction. Specialist tools and processes are used to qualify and quantify any production losses and identify the root cause of a fault. GL Garrad Hassan can then advise the asset manager on remedial solutions, including on-site guidance.

Operational wind farm databases are compiled to establish availability and performance trends and to get a clearer picture of any long-term risks. An objective assessment of production, performance, reliability and availability statistics allows an asset manager to benchmark the asset’s performance against the industry standard. This facilitates the process of optimising performance, minimising downtime and efficiently planning maintenance and spare part supply planning.

GL Garrad Hassan offers the following specific services:

• SCADA data management and archiving
• Wind farm performance and condition trend analysis
• Fault analysis and diagnostics
• Reliability, MTBF and availability benchmarking
• Warranty and liquidated damages calculations
• Analysis in preparation for end-of-warranty or periodic inspections