O&M and Reliability Workshop Presentations Gina Binnard, Belectric

1. Improving O&M Operational Efficiency
PV Reliability, Operations & Maintenance Workshop, 07 May 2014
Gina Binnard, Director of System Performance

2. OUTLINE
• Introduction
– Belectric Introduction
– System Performance “O&M” Introduction
• Operational Efficiency
– Definition
– Efficiency Control Knobs
• Examples
– Contracting for Efficiency
– Analytics for Efficiency
– Communications for Efficiency
• Wrap Up

3. BELECTRIC: Company Profile
Privately held PV system integrator: Development, EPC, O&M
Experienced, with product patents dating back to 2001
About 2,000 employees in 20 countries
Performance Guarantees: Energy, Performance Ratio, Availability
8
MW UNDER
MAINTENANCE
0 0
MW OF INSTALLED
POWER
1 2 0 0
YEARS OF
EXPERIENCE
1 2

4. Reporting
Asset
Management
O&M
Contract
Negotiations
O&M Test
Methods
O&M Budget
+ Scope
Contract
Management
Optimal
Plant Layout
Planned
Maintenance
Field
Monitoring,
Notifications
Performance
Analysis
O&M
Performance
Guarantee
Plant Data
Engineering
Field Support
EPC Contract
Negotiations
Commission
Plant Testing
EPC Test
Methods
EPC
Performance
Guarantee
PG
Assessment
Emergency
Response
Field
BELECTRIC: System Performance (“O&M“)
Energy
Model

5. Efficiency: Definition & Control Knobs
Operational Efficiency => The capability of an enterprise to deliver
high quality products and services in a cost‐effective manner.
Contracting
For Efficiency
Analytics
For Efficiency
Communication
For Efficiency
General Approach is Easy:
• Bolster Numerator
• Drop Denominator
• Special emphasis on topics that affect both
Operational Efficiency =
Service Quality and Scope
Time, Effort, Cost
Example Control Knobs:

6. Performance Guarantee ‐Procedure
• Procedure Complicated/Unclear => Excessive Analyst Hours
Ideally: Analysts quickly understand procedure and reach similar conclusions.
• Efficiency Improvements Via:
– Data filtering, filling, and processing specified
– Spreadsheet in advance, tested, included with contract
– Test Uncertainty method spelled out
– Flexibility granted to move quickly past obstacles
– Performance Guarantee goals spelled out to guide decisions
Contracting For Efficiency
Performance Guarantee Process Settle Time
2011, new & novel PG 1+ years
2012, matured PG 1‐2 months
2013, streamlined PG 1‐2 weeks
2014, published standards 1‐2 weeks

7. Performance Bonuses
• PG Targets to match Financial Targets => Given
• Beyond PG Target => Share the Revenue Upside
• O&M highly motivate to maximize revenue
• Efficiency gains through innovative solutions
Bonus Structure Matters
• Are bonus targets reasonably achievable?
• Are bonus levels worthwhile?
• Are bonus reasonably balanced with Penalties?
Contract Scope Flexibility Matters
• Industry Basics => Specifying a baseline scope is good
• Beyond Basics => O&M provider drives scope
• Outcome => time & resources spent on best returns
Contracting For Efficiency

8. => Module Washing
• Wash to meet Customer’s goals (Performance Guarantee)
• Wash to avoid meaningful Penalties
• Wash to gain meaningful Bonuses
• Don’t wash if Outcome is not meaningful
Analytics for Efficiency
Flexibility

9. – Fast data analysis to rank
lowest performers
– Field focuses on the worst
offenders first.
– Lesser offenders addressed
later to match
performance guarantee,
bonus, or budget
– Skip full field default
testing approach
– Identify appropriate
frequency
=> Low Performing ArraysAnalytics for Efficiency

10. Track/Quantify Failure Events and Error Codes to:
• Develop a better preventative program
• Reduce field troubleshooting time
• Prevent over‐ or under‐ stocking spare parts
• Focus training efficiently
=> Failure and Error Code StatisticsAnalytics for Efficiency

11. Communication Matters!
Internal Communications
Monitor
Field
Engineer
Contract
Communication for Efficiency
Documentation, Scheduling, and
Protocols:
• Documentation => collection system
for efficient sharing, training,
collaboration
• Schedules => that make the most of
truck roles and technical expertise
• Protocols => to push quickly past first
level event verifications & responses
• Protocols => to engage technical and
field expertise at appropriate times
• Protocols => to improve adherence to
contract obligations & limitations

12. Communication Matters!
External Communications
Communication for Efficiency
Monitor
Owner
Utility
Energy
Broker
Notification & Response
Policies:
• Reduces plant trip recovery time
(hours).
• Helps quickly verify grid trips vs
plant events, and initiate
appropriate response action
• Prevents information repeat
• Provides energy brokers with
better plant output forecasts
• Reduces response discussions

13. •Headquarters Germany:
•BELECTRIC, Wadenbrunner Str. 10,
•97509 Kolitzheim,
Phone: +49 9385 9804 – 0,
•Email: info@belectric.com
BELECTRIC – The better electric.
Belectric Americas:
Gina Binnard
Director, System Performance
Phone: +1‐510‐896‐3315
Email: gina.binnard@belectric.com
Thank You for your time!