The configurable Series 6001 interface allows communications and control of the inverter through a variety of links. By connecting to a system supervisory controller, transmission providers are able to send commands and receive data.

An industrial manufacturer has introduced an advanced utility-scale inverter in its new Series 6001 energy storage grid-connect inverter, engineered to provide improved power stability for wind and solar energy customers. Engineered by Eaton Corp. for utility-scale grid-connect battery applications, the Series 6001 inverter lets customers achieve full battery storage potential because of a large direct current operating voltage window. Eaton power electronics switching techniques result in lower losses and improved efficiency. The Series features proprietary electronics that make it one of the most efficient inverters in the renewable power market.

“With the recent IE Power acquisition, Eaton now combines strong design capabilities with an established product to deliver dependable and efficient inverters for utility-scale customers,” Chris Thompson, business unit manager at Eaton.

The Series 6001 provides high-performance conversion in utility applications for wind, solar and other heavy industrial power applications by creating a high-performance link between the power source and battery. The Series 6001 helps utilities reduce downtime and clear faults faster by staying on line during fault conditions. Low-voltage ride through (LVRT) with proprietary algorithms let the Series 6001 inverter run near zero line voltage for extended periods, while maintaining line synchronization. Also, high-voltage ride through (HVRT) capability is achieved through conservatively rated components.

Ride-through capabilities meet the requirements of North American and European standards: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Bundesverband der Energie und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW), and E-ION. These standard compliance settings are field selectable to match site requirements.

A four-quadrant inverter for battery charge and discharge, the Series 6001 withstands demanding applications with a rugged design. The enclosure meets a seismic zone 4 rating and is available as indoor or outdoor rated. The dust-tight section protects the liquid-cooled inverter and electronics control components from harsh and dusty environments. Also, a vented section houses robust air-cooled magnetics.

The Series 6001 is rated for 500 kilowatt (kW), 1,000 kW and 1,500 kW applications. Designed for a 20-year life for utility applications, the unit has conservatively rated magnetics, liquid-cooled power modules with over seven million hours mean time between failure (MTBF) and a rugged enclosure for demanding environments. Additionally, the transformerless design, proprietary control strategies and filter design result in over 98% peak power efficiency.

Eaton grid-connect inverters provide the required grid support, including: low, zero and high voltage ride through; standalone/black start operation; islanding detection; utility communication; and full four quadrant operation.

In conjunction with a system supervisory controller and feedback from the point of common coupling (PCC), additional grid support features can be achieved. These include: peak power shaving, load leveling, grid frequency regulation and voltage control.

The configurable Series 6001 interface allows communications and control of the inverter through a variety of links. By connecting to a system supervisory controller, transmission providers are able to send commands and receive data.

Eaton Corporation
www.eaton.com.

Windpower Engineering & Development

The module is guaranteed for life, transformer isolated, and (like all Opto 22 SNAP I/O modules) optically isolated from the equipment and devices it connects to, as well as from other modules on a shared I/O rack. The SNAP-AIRTD-1K is available at a list price of $235.00 each.

A two-channel, isolated analog input module is ready for use with 1,000 ohm platinum resistance temperature detectors (RTDs). With the SNAP-AIRTD-1K, Opto 22′s line of SNAP I/O modules now includes RTD input modules for use with 10-ohm copper, 100-ohm platinum, and 1,000-ohm platinum RTD probes.

1,000-ohm platinum RTD probes precisely measure temperatures in industrial furnace and refrigeration applications, HVAC systems, autoclaves, or in any application requiring accurate measurement over a wide temperature range. The SNAP-AIRTD-1K module is used in systems based on Opto 22′s SNAP PAC programmable automation controller, and also in SNAP Ethernet I/O systems used for PC-based control applications.

The SNAP-AIRTD-1K module provides two channels of analog temperature input, with a nominal input temperature range of -200 to 850°C (-328 to 1,562°F) and an input range of 0 to 4,000 ohms. The module has an average resolution of 0.042°C (0.16 ohms). Used primarily with RTD probes to provide temperature inputs, the SNAP-AIRTD-1K module can also be used for making high-resolution resistance measurements.

Opto 22
www.opto22.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

Using Gamesa’s 2.0-MW turbine as a laboratory, researchers will study the behavior of systems and how new designs, products, and equipment can affect performance.

 The public-private partnership will develop innovations that will enhance the capabilities and performance of advanced wind systems in tapping the vast potential of this renewable energy resource and ultimately bring the nation closer to 20% wind energy by 2030.

 Gamesa and NREL will collaborate on work in these key areas by developing new wind turbine components and rotors for the U.S. market, researching and testing the performance of new control strategies, and devising models that will help advance the development of offshore wind in U.S. waters.

 “Wind energy is going to continue to play a key role in creating a stronger and more sustainable American economy,” said Dr. Miguel Angel Gonzalez-Posada, Vice President of Technology for Gamesa North America. Gamesa has installed and commissioned a G97 Class IIIA 2.0 MW test wind turbine at NREL’s National Wind Technology Center near Boulder, Colorado.

“These types of collaborations demonstrate a commitment to crucial technology development and the public-private partnerships necessary to ensure continued momentum of the wind-power industry,” says NREL’s Deputy Laboratory Director for Science and Technology Dana Christensen. “Our role with the Department of Energy is to reduce technical risks and thereby help accelerate next generation technology into the marketplace. NREL is proud to be at the forefront of this important work.”

 Since its introduction last year, Gamesa’s G9X-2.0 MW turbine platform has gained recognition for its blade design, updated nacelle, enhanced control systems, and other features that substantially increase energy output. The G97 Class IIIA 2.0 MW model, which will serve as the test platform with NREL, is intended for low-wind sites, a segment from which Gamesa expects over half of all future on-shore demand.

 Gamesa and NREL also will work to design and test new lightning protection and other turbine conditioning systems, examining their performances in a range of temperatures at high altitude to ensure that they function in us environments. New converters will be used to test ways to increase energy output while enhancing component reliability. Extensive tests also will be conducted on other turbine key components, examining motion, temperatures, stresses and vibration levels, where the findings could lead to improvements that enhance the reliability of future us installations.

 Control strategies: The two organizations also will work to develop new control strategies that improve energy capture while decreasing loads, which will be accomplished through development of new algorithms. New control strategies will be tested throughout the turbine. Testing will include measurement of aerodynamic loads, the response of blade profiles, and pitch actuation. Output will be measured to determine how changes affect power output and its fluctuations, and what the effects are on structural loads and the drive-train response.

 Offshore wind: NREL and Gamesa will conduct a round-robin exercise using existing turbine modeling software to develop new methods that will let companies predict the behavior of offshore wind turbines, as well as the potential sensitivity of equipment to the offshore environment. The two organizations will examine factors such as wind-speed distribution, turbulence intensity and wind shear, waves, tides, currents, temperature, lightning and ice formation, and how these factors correlate with performance and the potential cost for the design, operation and maintenance of offshore wind systems.

 “This research project will examine every aspect of the turbine, from its base to the blade tip at its apex, along with all the parts that make it turn,” said Gonzalez-Posada. Full project testing on the entire slate of programs began January 2012. The core provisions of the public-private partnership run through 2013, with options for two additional years of collaboration.

NREL
http://www.windpowerengineering.com/directory/?s=National+Renewable+Energy+Lab&searchsubmit=Search

Gamesa Technology Corp.
http://www.windpowerengineering.com/directory/?s=Gamesa&searchsubmit=Search

Windpower Engineering & Development

The SynchroTeq is a modular system used to synchronously activate high-voltage circuit breakers.

The SynchroTeq is a modular system used to synchronously activate high-voltage circuit breakers. It can control a brand of breakers on the market. When using a SynchroTeq system, there is no requirement for switching resistor banks, therefore reducing expenses related to auxiliary chambers. It also improves the quality of the wave delivered on the network and protects the breaker contacts.
The SynchroTeq Plus system adds to the Point On Wave switching capability of the SynchroTeq but also manages the residual Flux for improved performance and added grid control flexibility. A few features include:

• Point On Wave switching platforms are suitable for all high-voltage circuit breakers, regardless of manufacturer

• Reduced stress on electric networks and high-voltage-power equipment. Therefore, they lower maintenance costs and increase the lifespan of expensive power equipment

• Capabilities such as residual-flux management for power transformer energization and integrated C/B monitoring

• A single platform accommodates rackmount installation in substation control house or integration within high-voltage circuit breaker’s control cabinet. Compatibility with major substation protocols including IEC 61850 / DNP3 / IEC 60870-5-10x.

Downloadable documents regarding SynchroTeq platforms come from the company’s Registration link.

Vizimax
www.vizimax.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

The SEL-734B Three-Phase Monitor and Capacitor Bank Control automates and monitors three-phase banks, combined with T&B’s selection of VerSaVac one and three-phase vacuum switches for pole-top capacitors, and VBM distribution vacuum switches.

Voltage regulation and volt ampere reactive (VAR) compensation wield the most influence over the efficiency of a power distribution system, according to Sergio Arellano, product line manager with Thomas & Betts. “The fastest way to improve the efficiency of power distribution is to install switched capacitor banks with smart electronic controls. It also provides the quickest return of investment of all possible methods.”

Among the new capacitor bank controls offered by this collaboration is the SEL-734B Three-Phase Monitor and Capacitor Bank Control, which is used to automate and monitor three-phase banks, combined with T&B’s selection of VerSaVac (VSV) one and three-phase vacuum switches for pole-top capacitors, and VBM distribution vacuum switches. Capacitor bank upgrade kits are also available for applying the capacitor bank control system to existing fixed-capacitor banks.

The new capacitor-bank control includes a power-quality monitoring, control, and reporting functions, and can be combined with metering accuracy measurements. Its plug-and-play pole mount enclosure provides weather-protected space to mount network radios, power supplies and encrypting transceivers. The capacitor-bank controls also include SEL standard software tools, a 10-year product warranty on SEL products, and technical support.

 Thomas & Betts Corp.

www.tnb.com

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
www.selinc.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

The length of The Switch 2 MW cabinet is now only 2.4 meters, which makes the placement of the converter easier in the nacelle or the tower.

A full-power converter design by The Switch features fault ride-through (FRT) capability for better grid-side performance. The new converters match the most stringent grid code in the world to date, the German BDEW 2008 directive. They also comply with E.ON 2006, Transmission Code 2007 and Chinese grid code 2008. During faults, the converter stays connected to and supports the grid – even with zero-voltage ride-through capability. This results in future-proof grid compliance. The built-in FRT capability also creates a cost advantage. Even the smallest turbines on wind farms are being retrofitted with additional FRT upgrade kits that cost as much as new, complete converters by The Switch.

The new converter design is ideal for offshore installations, because the cabinet has been improved to minimize the impact of environmental influences in harsh ocean conditions. The upgrades include a more rugged enclosure and better sealing. In addition, the converter includes a built-in humidity control that removes humidity from inside the cabinet, making it highly reliable. The new converter, designed to match all turbine applications ranging from 1 to 6 MW, also reduces cabinet size by up to 30%. The length of The Switch 2 MW cabinet is now only 2.4 meters, which makes the placement of the converter easier in the nacelle or the tower. Higher power density is the design criteria also in higher power ranges.

“In China, the importance of FRT capability has been recognized only recently as a result of large power outages, and the slowdown in the market is closely linked to these quality issues. The new products exceed the maximum grid performance requirements in China,” says Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, President and CEO. Sales of the new converter series will start early in 2012.

The Switch
theswitch.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

The C22 pushbutton line includes LED illuminated pushbuttons and pilot lights, twist-to-release emergency stops, selector switches, as well as flat and extended non-illuminated pushbuttons.

 Customers can change a button’s function in the field. Maintained pushbuttons and momentary selector switches can be field converted to momentary and maintained, thereby reducing inventory. ”

The C22 product line is compact and easy to install, features monoblock construction with built-in contacts, and engineered for simple push-through and tighten installation. Although the 22-mm design is compact, it offers the same pressable area as 30-mm pushbuttons.

The C22 devices are engineered for harsh industrial environments with an IP67 rating on most front elements. Many standard operators also have more stringent IP69K ratings, protecting them from submersion and high pressure and temperature wash-down.

Standard C22 pushbuttons have a mechanical lifespan of five million operations and can operate in temperatures between -25 and 70°C. The pushbuttons meet Underwriters Laboratories , Canadian Standards Association, and International Electrotechnical Commission standards.

Eaton Corp.
www.eaton.com 

Windpower Engineering & Development

Due to high security and availability requirements, MOXA and Dongfang engineers selected the ring topology in the wind-farm network for fast redundancy in case of network failure.

Chinese manufacturer Dongfang Steam Turbine Works (DSTW) was working on a wind farm project of 66, 1.5-MW turbines and had to establish a SCADA system to remotely monitor on-site equipment and operations while recording operation data for real-time analysis. To make matters worse, Northeast China’s harsh weather called for rugged and reliable networking devices.
The company also decided the system needed network redundancy with a fast recovery for system reliability, and at least three fiber-optic ports for uplink and long distance outbound transmissions. In addition, network-management software had to monitor and manage the system without undue complexity.

After sufficient evaluation, the Chinese engineers selected MOXA/s rack mount managed industrial Ethernet switches an excellent fit for their network infrastructure requirements.

Moxa engineers suggested installing one industrial Ethernet switch (EDS-208A-M-SC) atop each wind turbine to connect to the equipment inside the turbine. This switch connects to another switch (EDS-408A-2S1M-ST-T) at the bottom of the turbine by a fiber optic port. The switch comes with three fiber optic ports, one of which is the uplink connection to the EDS-208A and the other two connect to adjacent wind turbines.
Due to high security and availability requirements, the company used a ring topology in the wind-farm network for fast redundancy in case of network failure. The control center uses Moxa’s rackmount managed industrial Ethernet switches (IKS-6726) to connect field switches with the SCADA system and network management servers. MXview 1.0 network management software then helps operators monitor network status by automatically discovering the network topology and displaying real-time alarm information. The software supports SNMP V1, V2c, and V3, and presents historical traffic statistics and event logs for troubleshooting. The equipment is rated for -40 to 75°C.

Moxa Industrial Network Solutions
www.Moxa.com

Windpower Engineering & Development

In this webcast, a brief overview of state of art simulations tools available from Altair Engineering will be presented. Following the introduction of the tools, two of the most influential simulation technologies will be discussed. Namely, multibody dynamics (MotionSolve) and computational fluid dynamics (AcuSolve). The webcast proceeds with a discussion of case studies that demonstrate areas in which these technologies have been successfully applied to wind power engineering.

3 Bullet Points of What Participants Can Expect to Learn:

1. Computer Simulation Technologies that will help deliver optimal wind turbine design and as a result improve turbine power output and overall operating efficiency and performance

2. State of Art Simulation Technologies for Wind Turbine Designers and Engineers

3. Reduce Time to Market and Reduce Dependency on Physical Testing

REGISTER BELOW

Windpower Engineering & Development

Premo Group offers a wide range of EMC filters for UPS, with various ranges of current, voltage and filter stages, built according to UL1283 and EN60939-2 standards.

An uninterruptable power supply or UPS may be a best way to provide stable power to a company network. Current UPS designs store energy in batteries in dc mode. When necessary, the device supplies power in ac mode, thanks to a dc-to-ac converter. It works in switch-mode and so generates electromagnetic noise, conducted and radiated, which affects its operation and nearby electronic devices. This electromagnetic emission has to meet limits established by applicable standards, and the environment in which it is supposed to work. Typical standard are EMC IEC 62040-2 and EN 50091-2.

One EMC test, for conducted emissions, measures noise in the power using a LISN. The measurement frequency is 150 kHz to 30 MHz and the maximum limit allowed depends on the applicable standard and the environment where the unit will work, domestic or industrial.

To overcome these conducted emission tests, Premo Group offers a wide range of EMC filters for UPS, with various ranges of current, voltage and filter stages, built according to UL1283 and EN60939-2 standards. The company offers a new PFT series, a three-phase UPS with neutral filter for three-phase power delivery without transformer. This PFT Series offers currents from 3 to 150A and working voltage to 520 Vac, 50 or 60 Hz, providing high common mode attenuation and differential, as well as low-leakage current. This family of filters offers a compact design and is available in different versions, with fast-on connection, screws, or terminal blocks. The filters have been developed to fulfill the specific needs of this application in terms of attenuation levels, volume, weight, and connections. Premo continuously improves its EMC filter designs, in collaboration with development centers, universities, suppliers and customers, innovating new technologies such as IPEM and introducing new magnetic materials (nanomaterials, and new alloys) for optimum results in operation mode, reliability, size and efficiency. Premo EMC has fixed an on-site laboratory to carry out the EMC tests in machines or installations of its customers. Solutions are suggested to fulfill a specific EMC standard. Download this product datasheet: http://www.grupopremo.com/es/file/73

Premo
grupopremo.com

Windpower Engineering & Development