Joel Igba

A Systems Approach Towards Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) of Wind Turbines☆

Abstract Wind turbines are a proven source of clean energy with wind power energy harvesting technologies supplying about 3% of global electricity consumption. However there is an increasing demand on maintenance and operational improvements since turbines have been plagued with downtime problems of major components e.g. gearboxes and generators, especially with offshore turbines which are difficult to access. Reliability Centric Maintenance (RCM) is a way of capturing the potential causes of downtime and poor performance by preventing failures and having a proactive approach to operations and maintenance (O&M). However, for a large fleet of turbines, adopting the RCM approach becomes difficult due to the complexities that arise as a result of the interactions between individual elements that make up the system in the product lifecycle. This paper discusses how a systems thinking approach can be used to identify the relevant aspects and possible interactions between the RCM approach and wind turbine gearboxes and also how the gaps that exist within the system can be closed so as to add value to business. The outcome of the paper is a proposal for applying a systems approach to wind turbine gearbox operation and maintenance, optimising the asset value adding contribution at minimal total cost to the operator.

Product Life Cycle Data Management: A Cross-Sectoral Review

The paper explores data management in the product life cycle of three engineering domains – civil/construction, marine and wind energy – each with distinct but potentially common issues. The approach has been to assess issues within each domain against the life cycle stages defined in ISO 15288 “Systems and software engineering - System life cycle processes”, i.e., Concept, Development, Utilisation, Support and Retirement. These were then assimilated and comparisons drawn to identify common problems and areas that appear particular to the do-main. The paper presents a position statement, taken from the experience of practitioners in each of the relevant sectors; the purpose is to understand if there may be opportunities for cross-sectoral learning.

A Framework for Optimizing Product Performance Through Using Field Experience of In-Service Products to Improve the Design and Manufacture Stages of the Product Lifecycle

For many component sub-systems which make up the individual elements of a larger product system, the optimization of their performance in the system becomes more difficult through design modifications and/or manufacturing process improvements alone. The authors argue this can be improved if adequate field performance data has been fed back to the early stages of the product lifecycle. This paper presents a framework for an inclusive lifecycle approach to optimizing product performance through the effective use of field experience and knowledge to improve the design and manufacturing of sub-systems. The problem is presented alongside a taxonomic and captious review of literature of relevant subject areas, followed by a case study using wind turbine sub-system components as a basis to support the investigation. A framework is then developed through the combination of systems thinking and continuous improvement tools, applied to the conventional product lifecycle. The findings of the investigation indicate that sub-system performance can be improved through the accumulation of knowledge fed back to the design and manufacture stages of the product lifecycle using information from in-service product performance. The approach would be useful to practitioners and academics with an interest in applying an inclusive and holistic approach to product lifecycle management. This framework is particularly useful for companies that produce and/or operate systems whose sub-systems are manufactured by different suppliers.

Knowledge Management: A Cross Sectorial Comparison of Wind Generation and Naval Engineering

Offshore wind farms and naval vessels are examples of complex systems. A number of differences exist, e.g. the first is an exemplar of a developing technology, the second a technology having been developed and enhanced over centuries. Never the less a number of similarities exist, e.g. the development of responsive systems in physically demanding environments. Each of the technologies adheres to a prescribed product lifecycle, e.g. “ISO 15288, Systems and software engineering – System life cycle processes”, whereby each phase has distinct information and knowledge requirements. Furthermore, the adoption of a structured lifecycle ensures each technology considers the complete lifecycle and its integration within a potential system of systems. This cross sectoral study will review in-service knowledge management in two different fields of engineering, firstly Offshore Wind Generation which is a complex infrastructure system and secondly Royal Navy vessels which are complex marine engineering systems.

A systems a Reliability-Centred Maintenance (RCM) of wind turbines

Abstract Wind turbines are a proven source of clean energy with wind power energy harvesting technologies supplying about 3% of global electricity consumption. However there is an increasing demand on maintenance and operational improvements since turbines have been plagued with downtime problems of major components e.g. gearboxes and generators, especially with offshore turbines which are difficult to access. Reliability Centric Maintenance (RCM) is a way of capturing the potential causes of downtime and poor performance by preventing failures and having a proactive approach to operations and maintenance (O&M). However, for a large fleet of turbines, adopting the RCM approach becomes difficult due to the complexities that arise as a result of the interactions between individual elements that make up the system in the product lifecycle. This paper discusses how a systems thinking approach can be used to identify the relevant aspects and possible interactions between the RCM approach and wind turbine gearboxes and also how the gaps that exist within the system can be closed so as to add value to business. The outcome of the paper is a proposal for applying a systems approach to wind turbine gearbox operation and maintenance, optimising the asset value adding contribution at minimal total cost to the operator.

Procedia Computer Science

Abstract Wind turbines are a proven source of clean energy with wind power energy harvesting technologies supplying about 3% of global electricity consumption. However there is an increasing demand on maintenance and operational improvements since turbines have been plagued with downtime problems of major components e.g. gearboxes and generators, especially with offshore turbines which are difficult to access. Reliability Centric Maintenance (RCM) is a way of capturing the potential causes of downtime and poor performance by preventing failures and having a proactive approach to operations and maintenance (O&M). However, for a large fleet of turbines, adopting the RCM approach becomes difficult due to the complexities that arise as a result of the interactions between individual elements that make up the system in the product lifecycle. This paper discusses how a systems thinking approach can be used to identify the relevant aspects and possible interactions between the RCM approach and wind turbine gearboxes and also how the gaps that exist within the system can be closed so as to add value to business. The outcome of the paper is a proposal for applying a systems approach to wind turbine gearbox operation and maintenance, optimising the asset value adding contribution at minimal total cost to the operator.