All the projects within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI) Wind Turbine Verification Program (TVP) are now in operation. As a result, the emphasis of the owners and operators has shifted from installation and commissioning to a focus on optimizing the operation and maintenance (O&M) activities of the projects. Each project utilizes a unique strategy for performing O&M. O&M personnel for projects in Searsburg, Vermont; Glenmore, Wisconsin; Algona, Iowa; Springview, Nebraska; Kotzebue, Alaska; and Big Spring, Texas include on-site vendor representatives, dedicated utility personnel, and utility personnel who split their time between the wind turbines and other utility responsibilities. Each project has its own set of priorities for balancing turbine availability against safety, minimizing overtime pay, and other utility responsibilities. Various strategies have also been employed to ensure access to tools and spare parts. This paper compares and contrasts the various O&M strategies at TVP projects and reviews the causes of turbine downtime and the frequency and duration of faults.
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