Navigant Research Report Shows US Wind Turbine Manufacturers Are Accelerating Optimization Efforts

Turbine OEMs should also offer optimization services if they do not already to open the door for more lucrative full-service operations and maintenance

A new report from Navigant Research examines the range of wind turbine optimization services offered by the top US wind turbine OEMs, providing recommendations for wind plant owners and wind turbine OEMs on evaluation and implementation.


The wind energy sector is becoming increasingly competitive and lucrative as wind turbine OEMs combine software and hardware to unlock increased annual energy production (AEP) from the vast fleet of aging operational wind turbines. In addition, a wealth of engineering expertise gained over decades of wind turbine design and deployment is allowing OEMs to develop larger and more efficient wind turbines that operate at higher capacity factors and produce higher AEP than older turbines. This knowledge can be retroactively applied to older operational turbines. Click to tweet: According to a new report from @NavigantRSRCH, US turbine OEMs are accelerating turbine optimization efforts as common concepts and applications for wind turbine optimization are being further developed.

"Wind turbine optimization is no longer a speculative science. There are now thousands of wind turbines across multiple wind turbine manufacturers and turbine platforms that have extracted an additional 1% to 5% or more AEP with optimization services applied," says Jesse Broehl, senior research analyst with Navigant Research. "Revenue is being left on the table if optimization is not implemented or not offered for specific turbine platforms."

To gain a competitive advantage in this market, Navigant Research recommends wind plant owners evaluate and implement turbine optimization, while turbine OEMs work to better communicate their optimization offerings. OEMs should also offer optimization services if they do not already to open the door for more lucrative full-service operations and maintenance, and large owners of wind plants should evaluate in-sourced optimization.

The report, Harnessing Wind Turbine Optimization to Unlock Hidden Revenue, examines the range of wind turbine optimization services offered by the top wind turbine OEMs in the US and determines which platforms are key targets and which may have limitations. It focuses on GE Renewable Energy, Vestas, and Siemens Gamesa since those companies account for most of the wind turbines operational in the US during 2018. The study provides recommendations for wind plant owners and wind turbine OEMs on evaluating and implementing optimization services for wind turbines. Navigant Research also provides estimates of the addressable market for turbine optimization services using the US as a case study. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries. In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets. The teams research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Energy Technologies, Utility Transformations, Transportation Efficiencies, and Buildings Innovations sectors. Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant Consulting, Inc. is a specialized, global professional services firm that helps clients take control of their future. Navigants professionals apply deep industry knowledge, substantive technical expertise, and an enterprising approach to help clients build, manage and/or protect their business interests. With a focus on markets and clients facing transformational change and significant regulatory or legal pressures, the Firm primarily serves clients in the healthcare, energy and financial services industries. Across a range of advisory, consulting, outsourcing, and technology/analytics services, Navigants practitioners bring sharp insight that pinpoints opportunities and delivers powerful results. More information about Navigant can be found at navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, Harnessing Wind Turbine Optimization to Unlock Hidden Revenue, is a summary and reflects Navigant Researchs current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the reports conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.

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