Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 4-37. Trend of normalized operations and maintenance (O&M) costs for wind
power stations.
According to EPRI estimates, O&M expenditures are distributed approximately as fol-
lows:
-
labor
44 percent
-
parts
35 percent
-
lost operations 2 percent
-
equipment
5 percent
-
facilities 4 percent
Based on long-term experience with operating wind power station, annual O&M costs
can be assumed to be 3 percent of the initial cost of the wind turbine or about $0.008/kWh to
$0.05/kWh. It should be noted, however, that this percentage is for a mature turbine, whose
design defects have already been corrected. The range is related to the severity of the envi-
ronment where that turbine is installed. It does not provide for special inspections, product
improvements, or other retrofit activities. Also, the costs of O&M can vary widely depend-
ing on equipment type and age. Plant size is also a key cost determinant for maintenance of
wind plants as it is for other technologies.
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