Wind O&M Dallas 2017
The Westin Galleria Hotel – Dallas, Texas
April 10 to 12, 2017
The U.S. onshore wind energy sector could see operations and maintenance (O&M) costs drop by up to 20% in the next five years, according to data presented at the Wind O&M Dallas conference in 2016. This was attributed to higher quality components and greater collaboration between wind companies. Now in its ninth year, Wind O&M Dallas 2017 is working further towards that goal by bringing the wind O&M industry together again this April.

“Capture every megawatt-hour” is the theme for Wind O&M Dallas 2017. This annual event has enjoyed a 30% growth in attendee quality since 2012, and provides the platform for wind energy professionals to come together, share insights, maximize assets, and move the global wind industry forward.
Organized by Wind Energy Update, an information and networking platform for the global wind industry, the Wind O&M conference provides a forum for industry professionals to connect, network, and discuss ideas for maximizing turbine performance and wind-farm returns.
“To succeed in this industry, issues such as major power purchase investments from industrial giants, the explosion of independent service companies, advanced energy storage technology, the utility of data-driven software, and more, demand a complete re-think,” said Kerr Jeferies, Project Director at Wind Energy Update. And part of that “re-think” means sharing O&M insights and collaborating as an industry whole.
“It is important to harness the collective strength of the growing global O&M market by bringing thought leaders together,” said Jeferies. Indeed, a report by GlobalData predicts that the global wind O&M market is forecast to grow to $17 billion by 2020. The growth of the wind market is fueled by the declining cost of wind generation thanks, in part, to improvements in O&M.
At the same time, it is perhaps of little surprise that the Dallas O&M conference has also developed over time and enjoyed a 30% growth in attendees year-on-year since 2012. This year, attendees can expect a combination of new and old. The owner-operator workshops are back by popular demand, according to the organizers, and these let attendees benefit from one-on-one interactions with asset-owning wind-farm owners and operators to exchange knowledge and information in an informal setting.
This year, the event will also include new case studies, workshops, and keynote panels. “We want to ensure attendees leave with all of the critical tools, insights, and connections they need to protect the integrity and transform the productivity of their portfolio well into the future,” said Jeferies.

Back by demand: The owner-operator workshops return at Wind O&M Dallas 2017. These let attendees benefit from one-on-one interactions with wind-farm owners and provide a networking forum for knowledge sharing and new connections.
The conference will start with a high level session followed by two tracks spread across four different conference rooms. For example, Track 1 is called “Rethinking Reliability: The Core O&M Topics,” and includes sessions on condition monitoring, maintaining blades, understanding gearbox failures, deploying drones, and others. Track 2, “New Asset & Risk Management,” will hold sessions on portfolio management, warranty extensions, cyber security, repowering turbines, and others.
“We’re also excited to present a brand-new ‘Asset & Risk Management Track’ to go alongside our premier ‘Rethink Reliability – The Core O&M Topics Track’ to ensure that asset value can be protected, nurtured, and grown by asset managers chasing risk, revenue, and reward,” added Jeferies.
Much like a good O&M strategy for wind energy can make or break the business case for a wind farm, a well-executed asset management approach can unlock long-term economic opportunities for an entire wind portfolio.
New topic tracks added for 2017
- Turbine Reliability:Gain exclusive insights on how you can optimize O&M resources to enhance reliability, avert major failures and slash turbine downtime.
- Asset & Risk Management: Learn how to maximize wind revenue, increase AEP, eliminate major operational risks, and evaluate the future of wind generation.
- The Pursuit of MWs:Understand how market and policy forces will reshape the way you build wind revenue, and learn what market leaders have done to achieve sustainable growth in renewables.
Download the full agenda here.
Awarding excellence
Along with connecting industry professionals in the wind O&M market, the Wind O&M Dallas 2017 event also recognizes those in the industry who go above and beyond. A special awards gala on April 10 pays tribute to professionals who work diligently to drive standards in the wind industry higher and to help augment the value of wind energy in North America. Learn more here.
Filed Under: O&M