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Allianz Center for Technology

Extension of the scope of Condition Monitoring Systems for
multi-MW and offshore wind turbines1

May 2012
Over several years vibration-based condition The requirements focus on the vibration-based
monitoring systems (CMS) have become well monitoring of the mechanical drive train with shafts,
established for monitoring the drive train condition bearings and gears (see image 2). In addition, the tower
of wind energy converters. vibrations and those induced by the rotor blades must be
monitored via the low-frequency sensors installed at the
As a result of the large investments required for drive train.
multi-MW and offshore turbines and the necessity
Gear Box Generator
for cost-optimized maintenance, information
pertaining to the condition of the mechanical drive
train is becoming increasingly important. Moreover,
the restricted accessibility of offshore plants
constitutes an important reason for expanding the
condition monitoring to structural components of the
wind energy converter and to refine the monitoring
of the drive train with supplementary methods. Rotor Shaft Nacelle
Main Bearing Tower (Rotor)

According to our recent survey addressed to selected Image 2: Components to be monitored according to [1]
manufacturers of CMS from Europe and U.S. more
than 23,000 condition monitoring systems have been These monitoring systems have proven themselves as
installed on wind turbines (see image 1). a tool for condition based maintenance of mechanical
drive trains. The economic benefit achieved through
In order to establish one of the first quality standards for being able to better plan maintenance measures and
CMS, the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT - Allianz through preventing expensive consequential damage
Risk Consulting GmbH) published a detailed technical has been verified in many practical instances. Therefore
catalog of requirements in 2003 [1]. These requirements vibration-based condition monitoring systems should
have proven reliable as basis for system assessments, be standard equipment for multi-MW and offshore
offered by AZT [2], and the systems have evidenced their turbines.
usefulness in practice.
Moreover, the high expectations regarding the
Accumulated number of vibration
based Drive Train CMS
availability of wind energy converters, the rising
concentration of values that goes hand in hand with
International: 23.861 CMS
Allianz Risk Consulting GmbH 2012
the size of the turbines, and the restricted accessibility,
01db - Metravib / ACOEM Bachmann Monitoring Bently Nevada particularly of offshore facilities, provide arguments for
Brel & Kjaer Vibro CMC DMT Eickhoff Antriebstechnik extending condition monitoring to other wind turbine
Thomas Gellermann GfM Gesellschaft fr
Expert for Machinery
FAG Industrial Services Flender Service
Maschinendiagnose components.
Gram & Juhl ISTEC Prftechnik
Diagnostics
Vulcan Seacom SKF Status Pro / SPM
Tel: +49.89.3800.6236
CMS manufacturer + supplier, which have taken part on the survey and provided data.
Fax 49.89.3800.86236
Thomas.Gellermann@ Image 1: Total number of delivered CMS for vibration monitoring of the
allianz.com drive train of wind turbines according to AZT survey

1 Abstract of Conference Proceeding from VDI-Conference Schwingungen

von Windenergieanlagen 2012 on 7./8. Feb. 2012 in Bremen, Germany
 Different monitoring methods are currently in the
testing phase or already commercially available. For
example, monitoring has been designed for the rotor
blades, the tower structure and the foundation. In
addition to the vibration magnitude, other parameters
exist which deliver condition-relevant information
and can refine the vibration-based monitoring of
the mechanical drive train components, such as
temperatures, lube oil properties and oil particles.
The table shows an overview of the wind turbine
components with an allocation of the different
monitoring methods considered in the full AZT
paper. The extension is meant to motivate planners,
manufacturers and operators to consider the wide range
of possibilities of condition monitoring, not only for the
mechanical drive train, but also for other components of
wind energy converters that are susceptible to failure.
Are you interested in reading the full technical paper?

Contact us: Thomas.Gellermann@allianz.com

AZT
Requirements Extended scope of CMS
Component accord. [1]
Oil
Displace- Strain/ Tempe- Electric
Vibration Vibration particle Oil quality
ment Inclination rature parameter
counting

Rotor blades X1 l

Pitch bearings

Rotor bearing X l l3 3 l
Low Speed X

Gearbox Interm. Speed X l

High Speed X

Generator High Speed X

bearings Direct driven X l 2 l

Generator High Speed 4 l

winding Direct driven l 4 l
Tower +
Foundation
X1 l

Pitch
Electric Drives
Azimuth

Overview of monitoring methods discussed in the full AZT paper

X = AZT requirements from [1], l = recommended extension, = additional possible extension; foot notes
1: indirect via low-frequency nacelle/drive train vibrations, 2: Air gap monitoring,
3: if oil lubrication, 4: distributed temperature measurement points

1 Requirements for Condition Monitoring Systems for Wind Turbines, AZT-Report 03.01.068 dated 27.03.2003, Allianz Zentrum fr Technik GmbH.
2 AZT-Reference list: Assessed Condition Monitoring Systems, Allianz Risk Consulting GmbH - Allianz Zentrum fr Technik
(current list available by request).

Copyright 2012 Allianz Risk Consulting GmbH. All rights reserved.

ARC-AZT-05/2012
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