full life analysis


highest standard in the market

The Full Life Analysis (P90) shows how the site specific conditions are affecting the turbine components and obtain a Life Expectancy for the turbine structural components, modeling in detail the mechanical fatigue degradation of the structures according to the turbine morphology, site conditions, detail operation conditions and type of materials.

class A (90%)

high certainty

The Full Life Analysis (P90) shows how the site specific conditions are affecting the turbine components and obtain a Life Expectancy for the turbine structural components, modeling in detail the mechanical fatigue degradation of the structures according to the turbine morphology, site conditions, detail operation conditions and type of materials

Such Analysis consists of several tasks:

1. Wind Detail Conditions Modeling

A detailed wind conditions analysis is necessary to best determine wind flow conditions on the turbines, calculating the real turbulence, wind shear, inflow angles and local Weibull distributions, proving optimal input for Aeroelastic Loads Calculation per calculation Cell.

2. Operation Conditions Modeling

A detailed operation conditions analysis is necessary to best determine real operation on the turbines in terms of:

  • number of transients and alarms per wind speed
  • yaw misalignments in power production and idling regimes
  • periods of ice accretion loads
  • long-term parked conditions (if any)
  • or seasonal variations (especially relevant for stall regulation)
  • with eventual surface degraded conditions (especially relevant for stall regulation)

3. Life Detection Analysis

Nabla Wind Hub will carry out all aeroelastic simulations under design conditions and under site-specific conditions determining the loading maps and overall accumulative Fatigue damage spectra detecting design life for every turbine structural component, leading to the re-definition of components life according to site-specific wind and operation conditions.

This phase will provide the Life Expectancy of the turbine components per Calculation Cell, which, in combination with SCADA independent analysis for each unit and unit-Specific Weibull Distribution will conclude Life Expectancy PER UNIT, leading to the identification of the Selective Retrofits to be applied and full Life Extension Potential of the asset in different Scenarios, and providing a hierarchy of risk for each component.

Different techniques will be used for determining Life Expectancy:

  • Damage Equivalent Loads for pure structural resistive components
  • LDD - Load Duration Distribution based on combines torsion+bending moments for Rotatory Components (Drive Train and Bearings)

4. Uncertainties Analysis

An analysis of associated uncertainties PER COMPONENT will be carried out based on FMEA protocols (Failure Modes and Effects Analysis) developed by Nabla Wind Hub for the Life Analysis.

This Analysis will quantify associated uncertainty of different groups of inputs and processes in Life Assessment and Loads Calculation:

  • Wind Farm Data
  • Wind Conditions
  • Operation and Maintenance
  • Turbine Aeroelastic model
  • Calculations and Reporting

Monitoring 241 parameters and scoring as a function of:

  • Criticality of Data
  • Source of Data
  • Scenario Selection

Example of uncertainty analysis

Component Uncertainty
Blade 12%
Aluring body 12%
Blade - pitch bearing - hub bolts 12%
Pitch Bearing 13%
Pitch Actuators and Supports 12%
Hub 11%
Main Bearing 13%
Main Shaft 12%
Gearbox 14%
Main Bearing Suports 12%
Main Frame Mounting 12%
Yaw Bearing 13%
Yaw Bearing Supports 14%
Tower 12%
Foundation 12%