Open AccessPhysics of Failure approach to wind turbine condition based maintenance
Author(s) -
Gray Christopher S.,
Watson Simon J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
wind energy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1099-1824
pISSN - 1095-4244
DOI - 10.1002/we.360
Subject(s) - turbine , installation , reliability engineering , physics of failure , failure mode and effects analysis , failure rate , engineering , turbine blade , wind power , mode (computer interface) , component (thermodynamics) , marine engineering , computer science , reliability (semiconductor) , mechanical engineering , power (physics) , physics , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics , operating system
Abstract Wind turbine condition monitoring systems provide an early indication of component damage, allowing the operator to plan system repair prior to complete failure. However, the resulting cost savings are limited because of the relatively low number of failures that may be detected and the high cost of installing the required measurement equipment. A new approach is proposed for continuous, online calculation of damage accumulation using standard turbine performance parameters and Physics of Failure methodology. The wind turbine system is assessed in order to identify the root cause of critical failure modes and theoretical damage models are developed to describe the relationship between the turbine operating environment, applied loads and the rate at which damage accumulates. Accurate estimates may then be made in real time concerning the probability of failure for specific failure modes and components. The methodology is illustrated for a specific failure mode using a case study of a large wind farm where a significant number of gearbox failures occurred within a short space of time. Such an approach may be implemented at relatively low cost and offers potential for significant improvements in overall wind turbine maintenance strategy. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.