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DNV Foundation Repowering

The document discusses the technical considerations and risk management involved in repowering aging wind projects, focusing on foundation assessments and structural evaluations. It highlights the importance of understanding foundation fatigue and the challenges of partial repowering, emphasizing the need for thorough reviews of original designs and current conditions. Key takeaways include the cumulative nature of fatigue damage and the necessity for future projects to design foundations for longer lifespans to facilitate easier repowering options.

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Hieu Huy Nguyen
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21 views3 pages

DNV Foundation Repowering

The document discusses the technical considerations and risk management involved in repowering aging wind projects, focusing on foundation assessments and structural evaluations. It highlights the importance of understanding foundation fatigue and the challenges of partial repowering, emphasizing the need for thorough reviews of original designs and current conditions. Key takeaways include the cumulative nature of fatigue damage and the necessity for future projects to design foundations for longer lifespans to facilitate easier repowering options.

Uploaded by

Hieu Huy Nguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FOUNDATION REPOWERING: TECHNICAL

CONSIDERATIONS AND RISK MANAGEMENT


Aging wind projects and repower possibility

O U R S E RV I C E S

Foundation repowering assessment


• Structural high-level (feasibility) review Key element to repower is fatigue performance of foundation
• Structural fatigue loading evaluation
• Structural extreme loading evaluation
• Structural and geotechnical evaluation, fatigue and
extreme loads
• Review of foundation construction records
• Foundation inspection and structural monitoring
• Foundation retrofit
• Evaluation and root case analyses of foundation failures
• If the foundations do not pass all the design checks, DNV can
work with the customers on low-cost options, available to most
cases, to mitigate the risk
Foundation fatigue damage accumulation

We ensure repowered and life extension projects are safe and bankable
IE
We support customers through the repowering or life
OE extension process to success of project completion
(design review, remediation, retrofit implementation, etc.)
M&A
We support sellers/buyers to a successful transaction.
Don’t let this happen to you.

Foundation pullout failure


©Ishihara et al. ©Uni. of British Columbia

Risk management: structural health monitoring

Various turbines show Turbine 1


initial degradation
Turbine 2
Other turbines vary in stifness
with season, but return show Turbine 3
long term stability
Turbine 4

Turbine 5

Turbine 4 shows continued


degradation
When full repowering is not an option Three steps to repowering from the bottom up
Projects can be fully or partially repowered. In full repowering, Of the two, partial repowering is most challenging, since the
old turbines (including foundations) are removed and replaced foundation – technically complicated and buried in the ground -
by new turbines. The more popular partial repowering typically is much more difficult to change or to replace.
involves an upgrade to certain turbine main components, such DNV has identified three key steps to successful partial
as the rotor and gearbox, with more advanced and efficient repowering, from the perspective of foundations:
technology while keeping other components, such as the
foundation and tower, for reuse. In cases when partial 1. Review the original foundation design
repowering is of interest, it is vital for project owners to 2. Review the current foundation condition
understand the technical challenges and to know what to expect. 3. Complete a full foundation assessment

Typical ‘weak links’ for traditional gravity foundation Key takeaways


• Pullout concrete/reinforcement • Foundation fatigue is important to repowering/life extension
• Pedestal concrete bearing/bursting • Fatigue damage is cumulative/retrofit is difficult and costly
• Top mat reinforcing fatigue • Foundations older than 10-15 years may not have been
designed for fatigue

As a provider of independent engineering for project financing, DNV has reviewed the design and calculations for a variety of
repowering projects in the central United States, finding, in certain cases, that turbine foundations can quickly become a hot topic.
Often, foundations older than 10-15 years may not have been designed for fatigue and may not be able to meet both baseline and
repowered fatigue demand under current design standards. Fatigue damage is cumulative and foundation retrofit is often difficult
and costly. For existing foundations, consideration given to as-built data (concrete strength, mill certificates, etc.) and site-specific
loads could make foundation repowering possible.

Fortunately, it is easier to plan for future repowering with new wind projects by designing the foundations for a 30 or 40-year life
rather than the typical 20-year life. By considering this approach in the design phase, project stakeholders can provide for greater
flexibility in repowering options in the future.

Contact us at DNV
[email protected]

DNV Energy USA Inc. 1400 Ravello Drive, Katy, Texas 77449, United States, Tel: +1 281 396 1000 www.dnv.com

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