1. Blade Life Cycle Management A New Approach to a Critical Asset
07/12/2017
Blade Life Cycle Management
A New Approach to a Critical Asset
2016

2. WindCom Vision
To be recognized as the industry leader in maintaining blades by committing to the highest level of service and the customers’ overall success.

3. About WindCom Group 2nd Largest Blade Manufacturer Worldwide
Worldwide Blade Services

4. WindCom Facts
Servicing Blades Since 2006 servicing nearly 12,000 blades
Has a database of over 18,000 blade service records
Worldwide over 250 professionals to meet blade maintenance needs
Advanced inspection, access and repair techniques
Advanced blade composite engineering staff

5. Background
Blades have often been overlooked as critical component of a wind turbine since
they were perceived as product that was meant to last 20 or more years and was
down the list as the most costly component relative to the operation costs of a
wind farm.
The perception has changed due to the fact that blades have been found to be
wearing and small damages have later resulted in costly repairs or replacements and
lengthy downtime.
Blades, like no other component of the wind turbine is a combination of composites
encompassing aerodynamic and structural features to capture the wind energy.
Although maintenance teams at wind parks are skilled at keeping the turbine running,
blades are a special challenge due to the complexities of the design, construction and
materials.
As an expert in wind blade maintenance, WindCom is offering a product that shifts
the responsibility and risk of blade maintenance from the owner to WindCom where
the blades will be maintained for peak performance and reduced downtime professionally
managed.

6. Evolution of Blade Maintenance
2016
Blades heavy duty and design margins high
Blades removed for repairs
Blades easy to replace
Spare blades available
Preventive maintenance not considered
As blade length grew design margins were reduced
Blades becoming too large for inexpensive removal
Production decreases due to erosion realised
Blade repairs now uptower with incresed cost per incident
Design margins low
Owner designed maintenance programs without blade background
LEP installed without data to support payback
Repairs remain reactive
Inspections at End of Warranty but few later
Replacement blades not available
Maintenance costs high
BLCM
Design margins understood
Improved inspection methods allow increased frequency
Database created and used to predict failure modes
Preventative maintenance based on ROI
Packaged product establishes maintenance costs in advance
Blades heavy duty and design margins high
Blades removed for repairs
Blades easy to replace
Spare blades available
Preventive maintenance not considered
As blade length grew design margins were reduced
Blades becoming too large for inexpensive removal
Production decreases due to erosion realised
Blade repairs now uptower with incresed cost per incident
Design margins low
Owner designed maintenance programs without blade background
LEP installed without data to support payback
Repairs remain reactive
Inspections at End of Warranty but few later
Replacement blades not available

7. Blade Life Cycle Management
Wind Farm owners and operators shift the responsibility of managing their blades to WindCom.
Blade inspections without stopping the turbines.
Predictive maintenance plan put in place based on WindCom and site data
Preventative maintenance is performed at the right interval to maximize blade efficiency and limit downtime.
Unscheduled maintenance is a priority to get the turbine back online quickly with incentives to react quickly or penalties for delays.
Ability to negotiate insurance savings on premiums or deductibles.
Blade replacement payment available.

8. Increased Profitability
Blade Life Cycle Management
Increased Profitability
Prevenative Maintenance Plan
Inspections
Environmental
Blade Construction
Predictive Planning
Blade History
WindCom Data
Blade Characteristics
Site/Turbine Data
Maintenance
Leading Edge Protection
LPS Verification
Proactive Repairs
Reactive Repairs
Reduction in Repairs
Blade Efficiency
Reduced Downtime

9. Management Plan Preventative Maintenance Predictive Maintenance
Blades are inspected annually using a high speed camera which does not require stopping the turbine
Data is analysed using recognition software to quickly categorize blade condition and to determine corrective actions
Data is entered into the data base to monitor blade condition
Decisions can be made to prevent wear and tear, damage progression or lightning damage depending on factors such as environmental conditions at the site.
Using database and newly collected data future issues with the blade can be predicted
Using the predictions a plan can be made to minimize future problems.
Known failure modes can be investigated in further detail to prevent occurrences before they happen.
Maintenance is not random but calculated to minimize downtime and repair expenses customized site and turbine specific.

10. Management Plan Continued
Reactive Maintenance
Blade Life Cycle Management Options
Unforeseen events such as lightning, hail & bird impacts can reduce the blade’s integrity and requires immediate attention.
WindCom engineers will quickly determine if the turbine needs to be shut down and will offer advice as to the repair’s urgency.
If necessary, an emergency repair crew will be dispatched to the site quickly to resolve the problem getting the turbine back on line quickly.
Full Maintenance Contract
Contract service period over 5 or more years
WindCom will inspect blades and take preventative action to maintain blades
Leading edge aerodynamics will be preserved for optimum performance
Blade replacement deductible can be included and negotiated with your insurance company
Customized Contract
Pick from a menu of options that fits your needs/budget.

11. $ Full Service Contract One Price
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Full Service Contract
One Price
per turbine annually for complete care of blades
All risks to blades are assumed by WindCom
WindCom will use database and knowledge of the turbine and its blades to provide a comprehensive maintenance plan guaranteed to lower annual maintenance costs and maximize performance of the blades
Reward/penalty scheme will be agreed to as to the performance of the blades, repair costs and turbine downtime related to blades
All blades will be inspected annually without stopping the turbine with options to stop the turbine for additional close-up inspection if required.
Preventative maintenance such as leading edge protection will be used to insure optimum performance as required based upon site specifics.
Maintenance will be scheduled to occur during off peak times to minimize downtime of the turbine.
Reactive repairs will be carried out quickly to minimize downtime. Priority Service
Will negotiate lowering insurance deductible for blade replacement.
A proposed agreement will be presented to maintain the blades over time
24/7
Customer
Service Hotline $

12. Customized Contract
Price for Blade Life Cycle Management with options
All blades will be inspected in predetermined intervals without stopping the turbine with options to stop the turbine for additional close-up inspections
WindCom will use database and knowledge of the turbine and its blades to provide a comprehensive maintenance plan.
Risks are shared between WindCom and owner/operator depending on degree of cooperation to the WindCom suggested plan
After initial inspection we will meet to make a plan with upgrading the blades as required.
24/7
Customer
Service Hotline $

13. Getting Started
All data for the blades on site will be delivered to WindCom for review
Previous inspections (if any)
Repair reports of any blades serviced in the past
Specifications/laminate schedule for the blades (if any)
SKADA data on turbine performance and down time over the history of the site.
Preliminary proposed plans will be presented
All the blades onsite will be inspected
There could be an upfront cost to get the blades back to proper service integrity
A meeting with your insurance company to negotiate deductible reduction and deductible payment if a blade were to need replacement during the contract period.
A proposed agreement will be presented to maintain the blades over time

14. Thank you. Questions?

15. For all your wind turbine composites servicing needs
North America
Houston - USA
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Europe
  Madrid -Spain
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South America
Sao Paulo - Brasil
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16. Suggested Offer for Tecsis New Blade Customers
Sign up for BLCM at time of new turbine purchase. (Deposit required)
WindCom will be on site during construction (paid for by OEM).
Blade database begun
No hassle warranty work performed quickly (48hrs service?)
Force majeure work completed with funds from deposit with warranty remaining intact (unless we offer a very low price for the first years during the warranty period???)
End of warranty inspections at no cost.
Unused portion of deposit will credit against BLCM contract after warranty period