More than 30 percent of spare parts at Deutsche Windtechnik are now refurbished using this process. This enables the company to increase its independence and profitability, almost without trying. Because refurbished components are an economical and reliable alternative to new parts. Just like the conservation of resources, this can be particularly important in times of uncertain supply chains. 

Operators demand sustainability in spare parts 

"Our clients also benefit from our refurbishment. And not just in terms of reduced costs and downtime. They can be confident that their wind farms are maintained using components that have undergone quality-assured overhaul and repair to make them suitable for reuse. As a service provider, we handle materials and energy resources responsibly and in a way that is easy to understand, and this is very important for many operators today. We are on the same team," said Marcus Slotosz, Head of Procurement at Deutsche Windtechnik. 

More than 30 percent are refurbished 

Defective components are repaired both in-house at Deutsche Windtechnik as well as in cooperation with external partners who are specialists for the respective components: "We have defined repair and overhaul procedures for more than 3,000 components. This is based on their functionality, service life, operational reliability and resource conservation. With more than 10,000 new parts purchased every year, this is a rate of over 30 percent, and the trend is increasing,“ Marcus Slotosz explained. The strategy covers the entire range of spare parts, from major components such as generators and gearboxes to mechanical components and power electronics, such as power modules of converters. To ensure the functionality of the power electronics, each module is tested under realistic conditions in a simulation environment after the general overhaul. "This enables us to ensure the functionality and the specified standard of quality for the final reuse of the component."  

An overview of the entire supply chain 

Steps are being taken in the entire supply chain to increase sustainability in spare parts management: "They begin with the demand planning for spare parts when the contract is signed and cover wide areas of our logistics up to active obsolescence management. For example, we also pay attention to the CO2 emissions of our forwarding companies. If possible, we avoid transport altogether or combine loading stations." The ordering of spare parts at Deutsche Windtechnik is carried out using a digital inventory management system, and this has a further positive effect on the speed of delivery and repair. After all, saving time is also an important resource for making wind energy competitive.

Video Tip: Watch Deutsche Windtechnik carry out an exemplary refurbishment procedure, in which a wind turbine in Sweden requires a converter component! Experts at Deutsche Windtechnik Steuerung refurbish the defective component and test it to make sure it is ready to be used for the next repair.