Wind Power Production (WPP) assets cover a range of equipment: Wind Energy Converters (WECs), associated External Electric Infrastructure (EEI) including HT switchgear, protective gear and the overhead transmission network.
By virtue of their inherent design, grid- connected WPPs' are not standalone. Hence a healthy grid becomes a parameter of prime influence on the Asset Utilisation Index (AUI).
Asset management of the Indian WPPs is notably discrete, unregulated and constantly evolving. Nonetheless, there is an established framework under which wind energy is regulated.
Traditionally, the wind energy policy framework tends to concentrate more on securing capital investments through promotional schemes like fiscal incentives, subsidies, AD, etc., duly supplemented by infrastructure development measures.
This has and would eventually result in moving up the MW Windicator; and could be called a public- private partnership for building a National Wind Power Asset.
The ROI on such a National Asset for the initial controlled years is a sincere race around; subsequently, one realises that the degree of utilization or the level of efficiency or the extent of capacity at which the asset is operational, has landed into a state of diminishing control and probably reducing returns. The AUI, over the remaining useful life then becomes a subject of OEM expertise, contractual obligations and participative interest of the ‘debt free asset’ owner.
To ensure optimum yield throughout the useful lifetime of these National Assets, calls for Asset governance through a tripartite involvement, i.e. regulatory body, OEM and investor, on an ongoing basis.
Instalment of an AM Mechanism initially with a basic framework and then to graduate to an Advanced AM would provide for wind energy to be an effective, core and sustainable source of energy by 2020.
A unit of energy gained through systemic measures of AM, would be a unit of energy produced!