Lincoln Electric’s Kenersys turbine will generate up to 10% of energy used for the company’s main plant in Euclid, Ohio. The turbine will yield about $500,000 annual energy savings.

Cleveland-based manufacturer of arc-welding products Lincoln Electric recently hosted a dedication to show off their 2.5-MW turbine, one of the largest urban wind turbines in North America. The turbine is also the first on the continent from German manufacturer Kenersys.

The company says their K100 is suited for all wind markets, because it meets strict grid codes and performs in extreme temperatures. A load-optimized mechanical drive train with electrical structure based on an electrically excited synchronous generator, along with a full-conversion system makes up what the manufacturer calls its Synerdrive Technology. A wind-turbine supervision and control system, Cascada, also offers monitoring, remote control, and data integration.

The full-conversion system provides decoupling from the grid, grid integration, and a stable power output. Kenersys says this lets the turbine meet global grid codes. A modular converter lets the system operate efficiently at partial load.

Also, a cooling system, known as Coolride, combines mechanical and electrical drive cooling with the cooling of power electronics. The manufacturer says the main advantage of the system is a higher efficiency reached by cooling with ambient air and water for gearbox oil, generator (oil-to-water heat exchanger), and rectifier unit.

Furthermore, a small power conversion system, which Kenersys calls an Internal Supply Unit (ISU) supplies the turbine with constant voltage and frequency. The ISU also protects against grid-based over and under-voltages, keeping it independent from the grid for a quick restart after a production hault from a grid shut-down. The ISU also decouples the internal components from grid influences and protects electronics from electric grid loads while reducing fatigue load. Hence, turbine efficiency and life cycle increases.

Finally, the turbine’s manufacturer offers O&M services that provides options of a full-service package or open-source O&M full control, which offers independence by self-servicing the turbine as a certified partner.

As a supplier to the wind tower fabrication industry, Lincoln Electric saw having their own wind turbine as a good way to show their dedication to the wind industry. The machine can produce enough energy to power 686 homes and the company anticipates it will generate up to 10% of energy used for Lincoln Electric’s main Cleveland plant, yielding about $500,000 annual energy savings for the company. WPE