This chapter discusses the reliability, operation and maintenance strategies for wind power systems. It examines the role of systems engineering in optimising the aspects of a system relating to reliability, supportability and maintainability. It considers various maintenance approaches and the role of proper maintenance practices in providing a secure and reliable energy supply at the right cost. It discusses the importance of identifying and understanding the relevant cost factors associated with wind power systems, based on lifecycle costing and using relevant performance measures to help select a cost-effective maintenance approach. It then reviews some efforts aimed at improving the design, production, construction, operation and maintenance of wind power systems. Finally, some future trends are discussed in the areas of operation and maintenance of wind power systems.

This paper reviews, analyses, discusses and summarises the recent research and development and trends in the applications of soft computing in the field of wind power systems. We show the usage and the influence of soft computing on the different aspects of wind power systems especially in the field of operation and maintenance. This work provides the state of the art in this area which will be a good guidance for future research work. The main results achieved from the study show that the soft computing techniques are adequate for solving the different challenges at the different phases of the life cycle processes of wind power systems.  Using the various soft computing techniques with wind power systems proved to be useful for the wind energy business. Using these tools contribute by improving the robustness of the decisions at different phases of the system's life cycle. Soft computing can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the operation and maintenance of offshore wind power systems through improving the availability levels. Thus, providing secure, sustainable and competitive energy supply for the future.

This paper reviews, analyses, discusses and summarises the recent practices in the area of maintenance of wind power systems. It is based on a comprehensive literature review of relevant published studies. Systematically, a classification of relevant publications was performed based on preliminary review. The literature was divided into content themes based on relevant life cycle processes of wind power systems. Knowing that large percentage of total life cycle cost of wind power systems is attributed to operation and maintenance activities, which is more significant with offshore farms. A considerable portion of this cost stems from the consequences of the inherent reliability and maintainability decisions made during the early phases of planning and conceptual design of the system. Maintenance as a support function has a role in gaining and maintaining competitive advantages. Therefore, it is very important for all relevant stakeholders to be a ware of the role of maintenance in achieving sustainable and competitive energy supply. More cooperation between owners, operators of wind farms and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is needed to design better based on maintenance experience. it was found that most of the goals and challenges identified in wind power systems maintenance practices are already achieved in other industrial context, e.g. manufacturing industries. There is a need to do more research projects to investigate how to apply these practices in an efficient and effective way with wind power systems. Right maintenance practices in wind power systems are necessary to build and provide secure, sustainable and competitive energy supply for the future.

The paper presents a model for assessing cost effectiveness of facility layout alternatives. The model is a five-phase procedure including evaluating current layout in phase 1. In phase 2, feasible layout alternatives are generated. Phase 3 and phase 4 provide evaluation based on tangible and intangible factors. Phase 5 prefers a layout alternative based on multiple criteria decision making tools. Economical and working environmental aspects are considered in the evaluation process utilizing tools such as Life Cycle Cost Analyses (LCCA) and Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM). Factors reflecting life-cycle consideration include development, investment, usage, and scrapping. Non-economic evaluation elements are also considered in the MCDM. To test the proposed model, a case study is performed at the Swedish Mail Terminal in the town of Alvesta, a part of Posten Sweden AB. The terminal has several space, machine, and operational constraints. The three layout alternatives investigated are suggested by the authors, by the branch management, and by the Posten Sweden AB management personal. Result obtained from the study show that the layout alternative with the most implementation cost yields a nine percent better total LCC than the closest alternative based on ten years life cycle length. The paper provides a generalized layout evaluation procedure for manufacturing companies. Further research is required to customize the proposed procedure for evaluating alternative service facilities.

The paper presents a heuristic for scheduling jobs on a machining-center with a multiple-pallets automatic pallet charger (APC). The model is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the machining-center through minimizing the total weighted-tardiness of jobs. The multiple-pallet APC allows multiple-setups and a more flexible sequencing of jobs. The proposed heuristic is tested on scheduling jobs on various horizontal machining-centers for manufacturing pump castings at Växjöfabriken Company located in Växjö, Sweden. Machining-centers include MAZAK H400, MAZAK H500, and OKUMA MA600. Results obtained from the study show a 23% to 100% reduction in expected tardiness of jobs compared to that obtained using the company’s scheduling policy. The proposed model is flexible, adjustable, and expandable. Effective scheduling ensures high availability, high level of utilization, and increased productivity.

This paper illustrates how an effective maintenance policy could influence the productivity and profitability of a manufacturing process. It was possible to show how changes in the productivity affect profit, separately from the effects of changes in the uncontrollable factors, i.e. price recovery. The main results of the case study performed at a Swedish paper-mill showed that a paper-mill machine could, ideally, generate extra profit of at least 7.8 million Swedish kronor (SEK) (approximately US$ 0.975 million) per year, i.e. 12.5% of its yearly maintenance budget, if it avoids all unplanned stoppages and bad quality production due to maintenance-related causes. Thus, maintenance is not a cost centre, but a profit generating function.

Underhåll är en investering, inte en kostnad, anser Imad

Alsyouf, forskare vid Växjö universitet. Han har tagit fram

en metod för att räkna ut avkastningen på investeringar

i underhåll. Metoden hoppas han ska hjälpa underhållschefer

att argumentera bättre för sin sak inför företagsledningen.

Purpose- The purpose of this paper is to develop a strategic maintenance performance measurement system. Design/methodology/approach- In response to this purpose, a balanced scorecard framework was adopted to assess the contribution of support functions (such as maintenance) to strategic business objectives. A case study approach was used to test the suggested framework at a Swedish paper mill. Findings- It was found that by using the suggested framework it was possible to measure and identify the cause-and-effect relationship of using an effective maintenance strategy, and assess its impact on the company's competitive advantages. For example, it was found that there is potential to, ideally, improve the company's return on investment (ROI) by 9 per cent. This figure represents a projected US$8.4 million in lost profits, which are caused by planned inoperative time and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) elements. At least 14 per cent of the ROI potential improvements are directly related to the maintenance function as lost profit, which is due to unplanned stoppages and bad quality caused by maintenance-related problems. Practical implications- Using the modified BSC provides a framework whereby the contribution of support functions (for example, maintenance) to the strategic business objectives can be assessed. The modified BSC makes it easier for the maintenance and production staff who are technically oriented to communicate with top management in terms that managers understand, i.e. in terms of money. Furthermore, this approach facilitates the making of cost-effective decisions. Originality/value- The present study contributes to our knowledge of this process by changing the status of the ?maintenance function?. This is done by showing that maintenance is no longer a cost centre, but should be regarded as a profit generating function.