Software-backed Monitoring: New Challenges in Wind Energy

Brazil recently surpassed 15GW in installed capacity in wind energy. Operational challenges emerge on the way to achieving the best indicators of production, prognosis of generation, maintenance and others. Investors already understood  that monitoring based only on data and tools of the Supervisory and Control Data Acquisition (SCADA) system is insufficient and the need for software to monitor wind farms.

According to WINDWERK , this development makes part of investors’ learning curve. However, it brings challenges, which have already been overcome in mature wind markets such as Germany. The implementation of software involves the following phases: market research, testing, selection, acquisition, implementation, team building, adaptation of existing processes, finally, full use. It lasts between 6 and 12 months, consumes internal resources and requires high investment. Meanwhile, other processes and routine operational demands are still in full swing. It is a huge challenge to train employees and gradually introduce software to the processes of the operator, without this harming the dedication to the operation itself.

This problem led WINDWERK to the development of a Service that temporarily integrates the software, without the need to invest in the latter. Permanent Audit is the WINDWERK solution for O & M monitoring as independent, through specialized multibrand software, with constant transfer of know-how of operation, analysis and manipulation of the software to the investor. In this way, the implementation of the software is performed by the partner, without running the risk of compromising the operation. At the end of the contract, the client is able to take over the operation of its assets using the software used, with the difference that it can remain integrated at the end of the contract, allowing an efficient transition.

In addition to the monitoring of operational data, it is also necessary to monitor and perform accurate analysis of the routine operations, interventions and maintenance of the asset. Thus, it is possible to determine in detail exact start and end times of maintenance, anomalies and external events, relating in real time to alarms and monitored alerts. In this way, it is possible to identify bottlenecks to the plant’s performance, which must be remedied in order to achieve better indicators and profitability.

Conclusions are compiled in personalized reports, and their contents can be adapted to the desired periodicity (monthly, semiannual, annual, etc.). Thus, it is possible to carry out the comparison with the manufacturer’s reports, in order to lead to a more complete and transparent discussion about the performance of the asset, always seeking improvement.

WINDWERK is exhibiting at Brazil Windpower 2019, in São Paulo-SP. The event takes place at the Transamerica Expo Center  between May 28 and 30, 2019 . Visit Booth 7-60. Contact us to arrange a meeting with experts regarding your demands.