Wind Turbine Superintendent

Scope of Functional Role

The Wind Turbine Superintendent will oversee the installation “or” retrofitting and optimization of wind turbines, ensuring the project is carried out according to specifications, industry standards, and safety regulations. Although the Wind Turbine Superintendent does not direct construction, they serve as a liaison between the project owner and the contractors or service providers involved.

1. Project Oversight and Coordination

• Pre-Construction Phase:
  • Assist in selecting contractors, suppliers, and service providers for the installation or retrofitting of wind turbines.
  • Review project design and specifications to ensure they meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and owner’s objectives.
  • Verify project timelines and milestones to ensure the project stays on schedule and budget.
• Construction Phase (new wind turbine installs):
  • Work with team to inspect preparatory groundwork, concrete pads and the installation of medium voltage (MV) collection lines, requiring familiarity in civil and electrical disciplines.
  • Supervise the installation of new wind turbines, including the transportation, assembly, and commissioning of turbine components (blades, nacelles, towers, etc.), requiring strong knowledge in respective mechanical functions.
  • Ensure that installation teams follow the approved plans, health and safety regulations, and environmental guidelines.
  • Oversee quality control processes to ensure that turbines are installed correctly and meet performance standards.
• Construction Phase (existing wind turbine retrofits):

• • Supervise the retrofitting and replacing of obsolete wind turbine technical components with new ones, ensuring they are done per manufacturer’s guidelines and industry best practices – optimizing the continued operation of the plant.
  • Oversee set-up of on-site fabrication and blade repair facilities, transportation, assembly, and commissioning of turbine components, requiring strong knowledge in respective mechanical functions.

• • Ensure that retrofitting teams and technicians follow the approved plans, health and safety regulations, and environmental guidelines.
  • Oversee quality control processes including temperature monitoring, to ensure that wind turbine blades and components are repaired, resurfaced and retrofitted correctly to meet performance standards.
• Post-Construction and Commissioning:
  • Monitor the commissioning of the wind turbines, ensuring all systems are fully operational and optimized for performance.
  • Facilitate acceptance testing, verify turbine performance against expected outputs, and ensure any issues are resolved.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and environmental requirements.

2. Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance

• Safety Oversight:
  • Ensure that all work on the wind turbines adheres to safety standards and protocols.
  • Monitor the implementation of safety training for all involved parties, ensuring proper PPE use and hazard awareness.
  • Conduct regular safety audits and inspections of wind turbine sites.
• Environmental Compliance:
  • Monitor environmental impact during installation, operation, and maintenance phases.
  • Ensure compliance with local, regional, and national environmental laws and regulations.
  • Oversee any required environmental impact assessments (EIA) or mitigation measures.

3. Stakeholder Communication and Reporting

• Owner Liaison:
  • While working in tandem with the Site Manager, serve as a point of contact between the wind farm project owner and other stakeholders (contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, service providers).
  • Provide regular progress reports to the Site Manager and project owner regarding the project status, including performance metrics, budget updates, and any issues or risks.
  • Advise on technical matters, making recommendations for improvements or adjustments to the wind turbine operation or maintenance plan.
• Contractor and Vendor Coordination:
  • Oversee vendor relationships and ensure that service providers are meeting contractual obligations.
  • Approve contractor work orders, invoices, and change orders.
  • Facilitate communication between various parties to resolve technical or logistical issues.

4. Technical Support and Troubleshooting

• Technical Expertise:
  • Provide technical expertise in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, or control system failures in the wind turbine.
  • Collaborate with manufacturers and service technicians to identify root causes of issues and implement corrective actions.
• Training and Knowledge Transfer:
  • Offer training for the owner’s team on proper turbine operation, routine maintenance, and safety procedures.
  • Ensure the owner’s team has adequate documentation and resources to maintain the turbines after the technician’s oversight period ends.

5. Contract and Document Management

• Contract Review and Management:
  • Review contracts with service providers, contractors, and suppliers to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.
  • Manage and track warranties, service agreements, and spare parts inventories for the turbines.
• Documentation and Record-Keeping:
  • Ensure that all operational and maintenance records, performance reports, and compliance documentation are accurately maintained.
  • Ensure that all records are available for audit purposes and that any regulatory filings are up to date.

6. Performance Optimization and Upgrades

• Optimization:
  • Evaluate turbine performance data to recommend improvements, including software upgrades or mechanical modifications.
  • Work with manufacturers to implement design modifications that could improve energy production or reduce downtime.
• Innovation and Upgrades:
  • Keep up with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices that could enhance turbine efficiency or reduce operational costs.
  • Advise the owner on potential upgrades to turbine hardware or software as newer, more efficient models become available.

7. Risk Management and Issue Resolution

• Risk Identification:
  • Identify and assess risks associated with turbine performance, maintenance, and safety.
  • Develop and implement risk mitigation strategies to reduce the likelihood of operational disruptions.
• Dispute Resolution:
  • Mediate disputes between the owner and contractors or service providers related to performance issues, delays, or contractual matters.
  • Provide solutions to address and resolve operational, technical, or contractual issues as they arise.
• Schedule and Documentation Review
• • Monitor Milestone Schedule: Assist in monitoring contractor adherence to the project’s milestone schedule per the EPC Agreement. Report any delays or discrepancies to the Site Manager for review and remedial action to meet Commercial Operations, Substantial, and Final completion dates.
  • Project Close-out Documentation: Review contractor-provided close-out documentation (Job Books) for any inconsistencies or discrepancies and report them to Project Management for further review.
• Reporting and Deliverables

PEC shall provide Client with regular written reports, including:

• • Daily, Weekly, and/or Monthly Reports: Detailing the services performed, issues identified, and overall progress.
  • Health and Safety Reports: Document any safety violations observed on site.
  • Project Performance and Claims: Report any issues that could impact performance, as well as any project claim occurrences, to the Site Manager.

8. Compliance with Client Standards

PEC shall comply with all safety, security, confidentiality, and professional conduct guidelines established by Client. This includes adherence to the Client’s Contractor Safety Requirements and ensuring all work is carried out in a professional, business-like manner.

The Wind Turbine Subject Matter Expert (SME) role is critical when coordinating with electrical engineers, EPC contractors, wind turbine and utility suppliers to ensure that all electrical systems, wire management, tower and high-voltage installations, are constructed safely according to the project’s design, standards, budget and schedules.

Applicable Categories

• • Wind Energy Construction Manager, Wind Turbine Superintendent, Wind Turbine Technician, Wind Farm Construction, Wind Turbine Commissioning Supervisor, Wind Turbine Erection Superintendent, Wind Turbine Supervisor, Wind Turbine Site Manager, Turbine Superintendent