Earlier this year, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) released a report that answered 15 of the most common questions about wind power, reliability, and the grid. Entitled, “Wind energy helps build a more reliable and balanced electricity portfolio,” the report is based on grid operators’ real-world experience integrating wind power and dozens of studies conducted by grid operators examining how higher…
Cooling electronics in a hot nacelle
It’s no secret that wind-turbine capacity, particularly for offshore turbines, continues to grow each year with 6 to 10 MW on the horizon. Even with efficiency improvements, key power generation subsystems —including generators, power-conversion electronics and transformers—are challenged to manage ever increasing heat within limited nacelle space. In addition, even if incurred power losses are…
Improved sealing methods make wind turbines more reliable
The purpose of a seal is to contain fluids and eliminate leaks. Dynamic seals in wind turbines retain lubricant for bearings and exclude contaminants that can destroy them. Such seals protect bearings as well as the rural environments, in which many wind farms are located, from unwanted lubricant leakage and spills. Traditional seals Protecting bearings…