Early-Life Failure Characteristics of Wind Turbines Based on Commissioning and Operational Data

Authors

  • Pierre Martin Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, 75005 Paris, France
  • Sophie Laurent Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, 75005 Paris, France
  • Thomas Girard Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, 75005 Paris, France
  • Élodie Bernard Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut Jean Le Rond d’Alembert, 75005 Paris, France

Keywords:

early-life failure, Weibull analysis, commissioning quality, reliability modeling, wind turbines

Abstract

Early-life failures significantly affect wind turbine availability and lifecycle costs. This study analyzes commissioning and operational fault records from 1,180 wind turbines to identify dominant early failure patterns. Weibull modeling and survival analysis were applied to failures occurring within the first 12 months of operation. Results indicate that approximately 35% of early failures are associated with installation and commissioning-related deficiencies, particularly in electrical interfaces and drivetrain assemblies. The findings highlight the importance of enhanced quality assurance mechanisms during the installation and early operation phases

References

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Published

2026-05-15