Cross-analysis of the variability of wind generator failure rates

Evaluation of the power system reliability is the main input for the long-term system development planning, and one of the main inputs for this analysis are the equipment failure rates. The subject addressed in this paper is the analysis of variability of failure rates, focusing on resources using Wind energy. To address the problem, the authors have done the cross analysis of wind generator (WG) operation records, analyzing the extent to which certain factors contribute to the variability of WG failure rates. Based on these data, the Monte Carlo software simulation was conducted to evaluate the impact of different factors on failure occurrence on wind generator units and energy produced over the WG lifetime.