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- Category: Articles
Gamesa’s G128-5.0MW Offshore Turbine Prototype
In July 2013, Gamesa’s G128-5.0MW offshore turbine prototype on the Arinaga Quay in the Canary Islands was connected to the grid. With a rated power of 5MW, blades spanning 62.5 metres and a total tip height of 154 metres, this development marks a key milestone in Gamesa’s offshore turbine development strategy. (Click here for impression of inauguration)By Michaela O’Donohoe and Francisco Maza, Gamesa Corporación Tecnológica, Spain
- Category: Articles
Using Oil Analysis Data from Wind Turbine Gearboxes
Wind turbines are sophisticated machines, operating in demanding environments. Therefore, it is very important to select the right lubricant as the proper oil choice can improve wind turbine availability. This article focuses on the challenges in wind turbine lubrication, specifically addressing the use of the synthetic gear oil Mobilgear SHC XMP 320 in the main wind turbine gearbox.By Richard Russo, Kevin Harrington and Sandra Legay, ExxonMobil Fuels & Lubricants
- Category: Articles
A New Generation of AC/DC/AC Converters
The world can be divided into urban and rural areas. Rural areas occupy the largest part of the land. Most of these rural areas are not connected to large grids and are unlikely to be electrified in the future. The costs of installing an electrical grid are too high. In rural areas, and on islands, diesel systems are often used to generate electricity. Electricity generated in this way is expensive. In addition to the cost of diesel fuel, there are other associated costs to be taken into account such as transport, storage and losses. On top of this, diesel generators are relatively inefficient and will only generate about 2.5 to 3.5kWh from one litre of diesel. As a result, the price for electrical energy in isolated grids is high, sometimes reaching 1€ per kWh or more. In remote rural areas, cheaper electricity from wind turbines can make a valuable contribution.By Frits Ogg, Renewable Energy Consultant, The Netherlands
- Category: Articles
Tethered Tools Can Increase Safety and Productivity on Wind Farms
A tool dropped from an elevated work platform poses immediate danger to personnel and equipment below. While there are federally mandated guidelines in the USA for securing people working on surfaces 4 feet (1.22 metres) or more from the ground, there are no such requirements for securing tools. In this article, John Martell discusses why organisations need to implement some type of tethered tool programme in the interests of safety, and how new technologies are making it easier for technicians to use tethered tools.By John Martell, Product Manager, Snap-on Industrial, USA
- Category: Articles
How Geophysics and Multiple Perspectives Could Revolutionise the Wind Industry
Geophysical methods have long been used to help define the underlying physical properties of soil, rock, air and even space. Their uses can be very beneficial for the characterisation of site geology, which would otherwise require large and costly physical evaluations. The beauty and simplicity of geophysics is in its ability to indirectly infer subsurface materials by defining physical traits through the application of geophysical methods.By Daniel Kramer, Environmental Division Manager, Neil O. Anderson & Associates, USA
- Category: Articles
Life-Cycle Analysis of Four Taller Wind Turbine Tower Options
Taller wind turbines are becoming desirable in the growing wind energy industry. This article takes a deeper look at four options for taller towers. Steel towers, concrete towers, hybrid towers and the recently developed ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) tower are all viable options for hosting 100-metre (328-ft) hub height turbines. However, the environmental impact of each of these towers varies significantly. In this article, a life-cycle analysis (LCA) is used to compare these tower options over both short-term and long-term periods to reveal the most sustainable tower option for these taller turbines.By Sarah Gustitus, environmental engineering student, University of Florida, USA
- Category: Articles
Potential, Challenges and Opportunities
Wind turbines installed throughout the USA in the 1980s and early 1990s are reaching the end of their useful lives; in fact, 1,500MW of wind capacity is older than 15 years. Wind turbine technology has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, making new turbines more powerful and better able to capture the wind power potential at these sites. At the same time, a number of challenges exist for the owner or developer considering repowering. This article discusses the repowering potential in the USA along with the drivers and barriers that shape the repowering decision and market.By Alicia Abrams, Consultant, DNV KEMA, USA
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| #35 Vestas V80 2MW turbines installed in 2004 at Scroby Sands Offshore Windfarm, off the East coast of England at Great Yarmouth (courtesy David Goodfellow) |
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