The average lifespan of a wind turbine is around 20 years. However, some wind turbines can last up to 25 years. Others can have lifespans as short as ten years.
The quality of different wind turbine brands and models is a sizable part of this lifespan difference. Yet, specific actions you take can extend your turbine’s lifespan. Performing proper wind turbine maintenance is one such action.
How Often Should a Wind Turbine Get Inspected?
There are two kinds of manual turbine inspection: regular and thorough. Regular inspection should involve visual inspections and perhaps function tests. Both of these actions usually involve only the most crucial turbine components.
A thorough inspection is more involved. During these inspections, the technicians should examine all components. In addition, a disassembly of specific internal components often takes place during this time.
Regular inspections should take place first around 360 hours after the initial installation. After that, they should happen semi-annually. More specifically, they should take place every 6 to 7 months.
A thorough inspection can take place every five years. However, it’s probably best for them to happen with more regularity.
Remember, though, that proper maintenance schedules vary between turbine types. Windmill-shaped horizontal turbines, for example, require more maintenance. On the other hand, vertical turbines, which look like egg beaters, mostly require less maintenance.
Which Actions Should Happen During Wind Turbine Maintenance?
There are also a few actions that technicians can take during their turbine inspection appointments. These include turbine cleaning, lubrication, and other tasks. Beyond that, technicians can tackle issues as they notice them.
Certain turbine areas need regular cleaning. For example, techs often need to remove debris, like vegetation, from the rotor. They should also remove dust from the nacelles.
In addition, they should change the oil regularly. The bearings and gearbox also need lubrication to prevent too much wear.
Beyond that, maintenance mainly involves damage control. If a part, such as the brakes, is damaged, the techs can attempt to fix it. If they can’t, they’ll replace the part.
What Are the Different Maintenance Strategies?
There are two types of maintenance strategies for wind turbines—one is predictive maintenance, and the other is preventative maintenance.
Preventative maintenance involves the steps described above. In addition, technicians inspect and maintain the components of a turbine regularly.
Predictive maintenance is less hands-on. Instead, it involves a software program connected to the turbine components. This software analyzes the components and predicts when will need maintenance.
Contact Us to Get High-Quality Wind Turbine Brakes
In a nutshell, high-quality wind turbine maintenance requires only organization. Maintenance appointments need to be scheduled and performed. A predictive software needs to be installed.
Unfortunately, despite your efforts, turbine parts can fail. When that happens, check our inventory. We offer a multitude of high-quality aftermarket turbine parts.
Contact us today for a free price quote at this link.