How To
Summary
This document explains how Turbine Performance is calculated for wind turbines in Maximo Renewables portal. Performance metrics evaluate how efficiently the turbine converts available wind into electrical power, based on expected behavior defined in the OEM power curve.
Turbine Performance is an energy production metric, It reflects whether the turbine is generating as expected under given wind conditions.
Objective
To define:
- Which data fields are used to calculate turbine performance
- The formulas used in performance evaluation
- The role of wind speed, active power, and the OEM power curve
- How to interpret performance deviations and efficiency loss signs
This document helps to evaluate energy production behavior independent of operational state.
Environment
- IBM Maximo Renewables (Analytics / Performance Modules)
- SCADA data (typically 10‑minute or 1‑minute intervals)
- OEM Power Curve
- Active Power (AP)
- Wind Speed (WS)
- Expected Power / Theoretical Energy calculations
Steps
1. What Turbine Performance Measures
Turbine Performance answers the question:
“Is the turbine generating the amount of energy it SHOULD generate for the wind conditions?”
It evaluates:
- Energy production efficiency
- How actual output compares to OEM expectations
- Underperformance patterns
- Curtailment or derated operation
- Environmental and aerodynamic losses
Performance ≠ Availability.
Performance focuses on output, not the operational state of the turbine.
2. Data Inputs Used for Performance
Performance metrics rely on the following SCADA and OEM data:
✔ Wind Speed (WS)
Determines expected power according to the OEM curve.
✔ Active Power (AP)
Actual generated output at each data interval.
✔ OEM Power Curve
Defines expected power values per wind-speed bin.
✔ Expected Power
Calculated by applying WS to the OEM power curve.
✔ Theoretical / Expected Energy
Sum of expected power across the analysis window.
✔ Actual Energy
Sum of actual Active Power across the same time window.
These inputs enable comparison between expected and actual turbine performance.
3. Core Formulas for Turbine Performance
3.1 Power Curve Deviation
Used to detect real‑time underperformance.
- Positive deviation → overperformance
- Negative deviation → underperformance
3.2 Efficiency (%)
Indicates how closely the turbine follows the OEM power curve.
3.3 Performance Ratio (PR)
Where:
- Actual Energy = ∑ (Active Power × Δt)
- Theoretical Energy = ∑ (Expected Power × Δt)
PR < 100% indicates energy loss or reduced aerodynamic/mechanical performance.
4. What Can Affect Turbine Performance
Performance degradation does not imply the turbine was unavailable.
It means power output did not match OEM expectations.
Mechanical / Aerodynamic Factors
- Pitch misalignment
- Yaw misalignment
- Rotor imbalance
- Blade surface degradation, ice, or dirt
- High turbulence
Operational Controls
- Curtailment
- Derating commands
- Grid limitations
Environmental Conditions
- Wake effects from upstream turbines
- High wind variability
- Air density changes
Sensor Errors
- Faulty anemometer
- Temperature or pressure sensor drift
These factors influence why actual power may differ from theoretically expected output.
5. How Performance Is Interpreted
Analysts typically identify:
✔ Underperformance at specific wind speeds
Suggests pitch/yaw misalignment or partial derate.
✔ Consistent deviation below the power curve
Indicates long-term energy loss.
✔ Scatterplot widening
Signals mechanical instability or turbulent conditions.
✔ Reduced PR%
Indicates performance inefficiencies.
✔ Performance dips without alarms
Point toward aerodynamic or environmental losses.
6. Key Strengths of Performance Metrics
Performance metrics provide:
- Insight into how well a turbine is producing energy
- Early warning of operational drift
- Comparison capability among turbines within a farm
- Support for maintenance prioritization (pitch/yaw tuning, blade cleaning)
- Visibility of environmental and wake-induced impacts
Additional Information
If additional clarification is needed, please feel free to contact the support team.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
02 April 2026
UID
ibm17262398