About this Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT)

The design of Balance of Plant (BOP) components has become an essential part of wind turbine and farm development as wind energy systems continue to grow. The BOP refers to all the infrastructure required to support the overall operation of the farm in between wind turbines.

Crucially, BOP design has a big role in the overall viability and profitability of wind farms, accounting for a large share of wind farm expenses and maintenance requirements. Effective energy transmission, dependable grid connections, and accessibility for maintenance workers are all made possible by a well-designed balance of plant, all without incurring unnecessary expenses from "over-building." The main components of the wind farm BOP are access roads, substations, energy cabling, transformers, operations buildings, and more.

Participants will learn how to optimize the design of a BOP specifically for wind energy systems. The design choices will be influenced by elements such as utility interconnection information, soil conditions, climate, and turbine configuration. Participants will be able to examine substation electrical components, choices for grade cabling, road material and width criteria, and cost considerations in cable design.

Participants will demonstrate how wind farm BOP design necessitates a trade-off between dependability, safety, maintainability, and construction/operational costs through a case study analysis. Combining design best practices that meet several conflicting restrictions is the aim. Wind farms can lower lifecycle costs and generating inefficiencies to increase the economics of wind power with careful BOP engineering guidance.

This course will be delivered via Virtual Instructor Led Training (VILT) over 2 half-day sessions, comprising of 4 hours per day. Course Duration: 8 hours in total, 8 CPD points.