Reston, Va. – The Utility Variable-Generation Integration Group (UVIG) announced today it has published the Wind Operating Practices Guidebook (OPG). The guidebook is the industry’s first, and authored by actual wind turbine and wind plant operating professionals. The OPG is a principle-based document written by UVIG’s Operations & Maintenance User Group. It focuses on principles, processes and best practices; not work instructions and practices.
“Wind in the U.S. has grown to almost 76 gigawatts as of the end of 2016. The ‘care and feeding’ of generation equipment and related components has understandably become a primary topic of concern for wind plant owners and operators,” explained Mark Ahlstrom, UVIG Board President.
“In 2013, UVIG recognized that we should tap into the extensive experience and expertise of the owner/operators in UVIG’s O&M User Group – a group that represents a majority of the installed wind fleet in North America,” said Ahlstrom. “So, we initiated the project and developed a writing team of UVIG member volunteers. The OPG is the result of their work.”
Funding support for the Wind Operating Practices Guidebook was provided by the APPA Deed Program, Edison Electric Institute, Electric Power Research Institute, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and UVIG members.
“All of us at UVIG want to thank the companies and organizations who provided funding for this significant project,” commented UVIG’s Executive Director, Charlie Smith. “And, of course we want to express our sincere thanks to the team of UVIG volunteers for their diligence and dedication.”
The OPG is dedicated to Steve Gilbert of Alaska Village Electric Cooperative, who championed the project until his untimely passing in April, 2016.
###
ABOUT UVIG
The Utility Variable-Generation Integration Group (UVIG), previously known as the Utility Wind Integration Group (UWIG), was established in 1989 to provide a forum for the critical analysis of wind for utility applications. UVIG expanded its focus to include solar power and became known as the Utility Variable-Generation Integration Group in 2011. Today, UVIG is the leading source of global expertise for wind and solar power system integration and operation.
UVIG is a not-for-profit organization that engages in engineering and educational activities to advance the theory and practice of integrating renewable energy into electric systems. UVIG provides unique access to credible information and applied research to facilitate renewable energy decisions. The group’s mission is to chart the future of wind and solar integration and operation. UVIG does this by accelerating the development and application of good engineering and operational practices supporting the appropriate integration and reliable operation of variable generation on the electric power system.
For more information or to become a member of UVIG, contact info@uvig.org, or visit www.esig.energy.
Leave a Reply