OPTIMUS: Demonstration of methods and tools for the optimisation of operational reliability of large-scale industrial wind turbines

Project Description

OPTIMUS seeks to develop and demonstrate methods, tools and designs which will contribute to a noteworthy improvement in reliability and availability of wind turbines.

Issues to be assessed and demonstrated during the project include:

1. Detailed analysis of key failure modes of wind turbines
   1. Collection and analysis of failure data
   2. Assessment of current condition monitoring systems
   3. Definition of the key reliability issues of wind turbines
   4. Development of an energy costing model

2. Gearbox reliability
   1. Gearbox design reliability review
   2. Drive-train failure root cause analysis
   3. Drive-train simulation and analysis
   4. Development of prognostic life models for drive-train

3. Condition monitoring of wind turbine electrical and power systems
   1. Wind turbine instrumentation and collection of data
   2. Computer modelling and simulation
   3. Implementation of an enhanced condition monitoring methodology for wind turbine power electronics

4. Load independent condition monitoring of wind turbines
   1. Analysis of the effect of variable loads
   2. Filtering variable load effect
   3. Evaluation of load independent condition monitoring methodology under actual conditions

5. Cost effective condition monitoring technology for wind turbines
   1. Assess condition monitoring requirements
   2. Condition monitoring data fusion
   3. Development of prognostics methodology
   4. Field-based evaluation of achieved reliability

6. Training
   1. Proposals for standards and updating
   2. Development of training procedures

Collaborating Companies or Organisations

Indra's Role

Indra will be actively involved in most work packages of the project. Its main effort will be allocated in following issues:

• Condition monitoring of wind turbine electrical and power systems
• Load independent condition monitoring of wind turbines
• Cost effective condition monitoring technology for wind turbines

Universities and Technological Centres

Technologies used

1. Artificial Intelligence Techniques
2. Data mining
3. Acoustic Emission analysis techniques
4. Electrical parameters analysis techniques
5. Vibration analysis techniques
6. Tribology
7. Remote Control

More information

The Project is a partly funded project by the EC under the FP7 framework programme.

Grant Agreement Number: 322430