Optimizing Wind Power Performance Conference & Exhibition

60 Second Interview

Marty Crotty, Chief Executive Officer, Upwind Solutions

1.Please name 3 key factors that are fundamental in maximizing wind power project performance, productivity and reliability?

• The ability to identify and eliminate the root cause of failures.
• The ability to provide comprehensive low cost turnkey solutions to address major maintenance issues (Gearbox, Generator and Blades).
• Skills or technical ability and work ethic (sense of urgency) of maintenance technicians

2. How can you best achieve cost-effective operations and O&M strategies?

From my perspective, cost effective should be measured in cost/KWh.  The objective is to achieve the lowest cost/KWh by either increasing output (KWh) or reducing costs.  In order to increase production, you should focus on both turbine reliability and turbine efficiency (power curve performance).  You can also deliver on the lowest cost per KWh value proposition by deploying the highest skilled and hardest working  technicians and effectively deploying  capital to provide comprehensive low cost turnkey solutions to address major maintenance issues. It is important to  have  best in class safety, quality and training programs and to develop best practices that enable technicians to do the right thing the right way the first time and every time.