The problem with moving wind-turbine components is their size–they are gigantic. Nacelles can measure 12-ft wide and over 20-ft long, while half of a tower can be 12-ft wide and almost 150-ft long. And blades –conversation stoppers on most highways– easily span 100 ft. Moving these structures takes special equipment, trucks, trains, ships, and harbors.…
What are wind turbine sliprings?
These devices allow transmitting power and signals from a stationary platform to one that is rotating. A slip-ring assembly is often a graphite or precious metal brush that contacts the outside diameter of a rotating metal ring. As the ring turns, an electrical current or signal conducts through the stationary brush to the metal ring…
Trends in simulation software
General purpose finite-element analysis has proven itself very successful at finding stresses in structures if you assume a steady load. But wind turbines present a range of engineering challenges that arise from large displacements, non-linear material properties, and time varying loads from air flows, conditions which challenge general purpose structural analysis. For these applications it…
How to make good turbines better
Overseeing proper operation and maintenance is important to any wind turbine’s reliability and durability. While it is often tempting to simply swap new parts for old, it may be more beneficial to upgrade them to prevent recurring damage and costly repairs. The right upgrades should improve a turbine’s performance and increase its return on investment.…
How are sensors used on wind farms?
Wind farms run on sensors. They make condition monitoring and SCADA systems possible. Without sensors, no system can be controlled. One pearl of wisdom often dropped by control engineers says that a control is only as good as what it measures, and an event cannot be controlled if it cannot be measured. For wind professionals,…
What are wind turbine encoders?
These devices indicate the angular position of a rotating shaft. They are described most often as incremental or absolute. Incremental encoders: This version needs an input voltage, often between 5 and 30 Vdc. The design is similar to a rotary switch in that it is on or off, so the output is 0 or the…
What are the issues with cables in wind turbines?
The issue surrounding cables is their flexibility at low temperatures. Resilience cables for wind turbines should be Wind Turbine Tray Cable (WTTC) approved, and NFPA 79 (12.2.2) rated for constant flex and high performance. Cables in the nacelle carry low-voltage control signals, data, and communication signals, and work in exposed- run power applications. Cables should…
Trends in wind power electrical components
Wind turbines have been maintenance nightmares for many operators over the past few years. This is to be expected when the rush to install wind turbines has avoided the usual developmental learning curve, on which new technologies mature by trial and error. Instead, many turbine designs have, until very recently, been taken from other industries…
What are the electrical & electronic components in a wind turbine?
Motors and drives: nacelles on utility scale turbines are filled with motors and drives. The latter devices are part of the turbine controls that tell motors what to do. Generally, electric motors pitch the blades on turbines with less than 1.5 MW outputs and point nacelles in appropriate directions. Utility-scale turbines can have up to…
Trend in towers
Towers for wind turbines have done a good a job hiding their high-tech origins. For instance, their sections–humbly called cans–are rolled from flat-sheet steel into precise, yet slightly tapered cones and then welded by CNC machines. More CNC machine tools drill holes and attach flanges that allow connecting cans. But for all their sophistication the…
What is the equipment used in installing wind turbines?
Equipment can be anything used by companies to erect or maintain a wind farm. This small space will deal mostly with cranes because these have been specialized to lift heavy loads to considerable heights, mostly in response to a quest for taller towers. Other equipment, such as the road graders and bulldozers, easily transport to…
Trends in sliprings
Sliprings work in the turbine’s hub where they transmit power and signals from stationary cables in the nacelle to rotating equipment in the hub. A slip-ring assembly is often a graphite or precious metal brush that contacts the outside diameter of a rotating metal ring. As the ring turns, electrical current or signal is conducted…
Getting to know Gearboxes
Zach Wright Engineering Analyst Dr. Ashley Crowther VP Engineering for Wind Romax Technology Inc., U.S. Wind Technology Center Boulder, Colo. www.romaxtech.com Gearbox reliability has been an issue for the wind industry since its inception. Premature failures increase operational costs for owners and warranty costs for OEMs. This seems a bit puzzling because gearboxes in other…
What is wind turbine condition monitoring and how is it useful?
Condition monitoring is one way to keep tabs on all the equipment in a nacelle without a daily visit. SCADA systems provide some of this information, but a properly applied condition monitoring system provides more detail. The idea is to mount sensors on bearings, gearboxes, and generators. Pressure sensors can tell that the hydraulic system…
What are the different types of wind turbine brakes?
Slowing and halting an 80-m rotor involves converting its kinetic energy into heat. Of course, there are several design decisions here. Rotor brakes control overspeed, and provide parking and emergency braking. These brakes can mount on the rotor (low-speed shaft) on the generator (high-speed shaft), and both shafts in some cases. Low-speed-shaft braking is relatively…
How are wind turbine blades changing?
Rotor blades, like aircraft wings, are essentially cantilevered beams with aerodynamic exteriors. Early blades were made of wood. More recently, they consist of fiberglass and epoxy resins manufactured by reaction injection molding in rather complex equipment. The quest for greater power will demand longer blades which has led designers to examine carbon fibers as a…
What are the different bearings used in wind turbines?
Turbines use a wide variety of bearings. Large ones include huge 2-m diameter main-shaft bearings with two opposing rows of cylindrical rollers to handle enormous thrust and radial loads. These support the shaft that holds the hub and rotor. Slew bearings mount between nacelles and towers to let nacelles rotate as needed. These can have…
Trends in wind energy safety
When considering safety concerns with wind turbines, two main topics come to the top—technician safety and turbine safety. Technician safety prevention typically revolves around protective clothing, climb-assist technologies, and best practices in the field. Technician Safety Increasingly, companies are using rope-access techniques to perform work on wind turbines. Rope access technicians are highly-trained individuals providing…
Trends in motors and drives
One trend in wind motors and drives is an increasing demand to refine overall turbine design for lower cost and higher availability. Also, instead of buying the gearbox and motor separately from different manufacturers, some companies offer them packaged together. Lastly, requirements for pitch control are increasing in larger, more powerful turbines. Pitch control is…
Trends in lubrication
Global lubricant demand is forecast to reach 40.5 million metric tons in 2012. According to a recent study, the market is estimated at $48.8 billion. Companies in this booming market are expanding their lubricant lines to include those for more industries such as wind. Wind equipment requires specialized lubricants. For instance, they may require certain…