Deterministic Ethernet solutions let Vestas improve wind-turbine uptime. TTTech’s state of the art solution provides integrated safety and precision in control that helps to reduce the overall LCOE (Levelized Cost of Energy). The company says Deterministic Ethernet refers to a networked communication technology that uses time scheduling to bring deterministic real-time communication to standard IEEE 802 Ethernet. Deterministic Ethernet operates using a global sense of time and a schedule which is shared between network components.
Wind turbine OEM Vestas was looking for a smarter distributed control system (DCS) that would help lower the material cost of turbines and reduce operating costs for utilities. Wind turbine control systems are often a complex mix of fieldbus and point-to-point networks, with safety and control functions physically separated. This can lead to expensive integration, higher material costs, and limited access to data from critical systems.
TTTech’s high availability DCS based on deterministic Ethernet was chosen to address these challenges. The company offers control devices with integrated safety features, and deterministic ethernet (One definition: a message arrives when it is needed. Some messages are more important than others) switches and network infrastructure and control devices that allow transmitting different traffic classes on one wire.
These elements are brought together by TTTech into a high-availability system architecture which means faults can be isolated while the system continues to operate normally. Another plus: The high availability DCS resulted in an overall reduction in components and system complexity. Safety certification was also made easier by the IEC 61508 certifiable products provided by TTTech. The high availability system architecture will lead to improved turbine uptime and productivity for utilities.
Key benefits of the DCS product:
- Reduced system complexity and cost due to integrated safety and control
- Improved turbine uptime with high-availability architecture
- Support for predictive maintenance and other smart turbine and park functions
- Ready for Industry 4.0 with standard Ethernet technology
- Easier safety certification with IEC 61508 certifiable switches, controllers and boards
TTTech develops reliable networking and safety controls. The company’s products improve the safety and reliability of electronic systems in the industrial and transportation sectors.
Filed Under: News, Turbines
