
The 750 series wind turbines can provide power for applications such as community wind, municipal, schools, and more.
Despite the growing popularity of wind farms, today’s king-sized wind turbines are too large for some areas. Many good wind sites cannot accommodate huge, utility-scale turbines. This is the case for populated areas looking to use wind turbines to meet community energy needs.
Aeronautica Windpower (www.aeronauticawind.com) has manufactured a queen-sized wind turbine that it says is better suited for populated areas. The 750 Series is a 750 kW, sub-utility sized machine, for ‘distributed wind’ applications. Because it is a smaller option, it can be permitted, erected, serviced, and financed easier than its larger cousins.
The ‘Queen-Size’ turbines are more in-scale with local communities, while still providing lots of power for applications such as community wind, municipal, industrial, tribal lands, schools, military, wind parks, and more, according to the company. And, they are powerful enough to be used as a lower height alternative for many wind farm operations.
The company adds that its 750kW wind turbines are built according to strict IEC 61400 guidelines in an ISO 9001 rated factory to insure the highest degree of quality for a long service life. An Internet-ready SCADA system provides remote access and viewing from remote locations. The time tested gearbox-isolation system absorbs shocks providing for long-term durability. These turbines are ultra-quiet and more easily transported to reach areas otherwise inaccessible to larger machines.

The Power and Energy Curves are valid for 1.225 kg/m3 air density, clean blades, and undisturbed horizontal airflow. The Energy Graph assumes a Rayleigh wind speed distribution and 100% availability. The power curve is for a 47-750 (47m rotor dia.) and comes from DNV certification. The power curve for 54-750 is estimated and pending certification.
Low overall height profiles range from 241 to 302 ft. (73.5 to 92m) and are suitable for Class I, II, or III winds. A dual-wound 180/750 kW generator maximizes output over a range of speeds. Active Stall Regulation (ASR) optimizes blade pitching for low and high-wind conditions.
Control regulation possibilities are the same as with pitch-regulated turbines, but by using the stall properties of the blades, they avoid large loads and power fluctuations typical for a pitch-regulated machine.
Higher production is expected because the blade angle is optimized to the wind speed. In high winds, power is stabilized because control regulation eliminates problems with air density changes, double-stall, and change in grid frequency. This means that stand-still due to overproduction is avoided and loads are minimized on individual components, such as gearboxes and generators.
Feathering the blades in high winds decreases extreme loads. The switch over from small to large generators will take place in a quiet and gentle manner. Blade control makes possible a smoother cut-in to the grid at startup and cut-out at shut down. Hence, these situations produce much less noise and extend turbine life.
The company says the low profile, low-noise signature, and efficient output let the wind turbine provide balance between economic output and acceptable size. Aeronautica wind turbines are manufactured in the United States, which reduces shipping costs and delivery times.
Filed Under: Community wind, News, Turbines