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- Category: Articles
A Case Study in the Nordic Countries
The drawbacks of wind power from the power system point of view are its variability and unpredictability. However, these problems are greatly reduced when wind power is connected to larger power systems as these can take advantage of the natural diversity in variable sources. A large geographical spread of wind power will reduce variability, increase predictability and decrease the occasions with near zero or peak output. In this article, the situation in the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) is described.
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By Hannele Holttinen, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland
- Category: Articles
New Procedure for Fault Ride-Through Testing and Certification
In recent years, the amount of energy produced by wind energy converters (WECs) has increased greatly, meaning that grid operators now have to focus on the power generation characteristics of WECs. In 2003, the German grid operator E.ON provided the first guidelines that stated new requirements on the power generation characteristics of WECs. These could not be fulfilled with the existing technology over the full range. The German research institute FGH decided to establish an accredited product certification body in accordance with the European standard EN 45011; this body certifies the conformity of power generation characteristics of WECs with the guidelines of grid operators.By Volker Pitz and Karl-Heinz Weck, Forschungsgemeinschaft für Elektrische Anlagen und Stromwirtschaft (FGH) e.V., Germany
- Category: Articles
The Research and Engineering Involved in Confidently Achieving 70m Monitoring
As the height of wind turbines continues to soar, it has become increasingly necessary to achieve ‘bankable data’ from wind monitoring sensors at higher levels. Potential wind development sites are often remote, so monitoring masts need to be easily transported, lightweight and possible to construct with minimal effort. For masts in excess of 60m to survive extreme conditions, the tower sections must have greater strength without excessively compromising the mast weight. In this article, Geoff Watson of Western Windpower describes the development programme for the company’s new 70m HiMast.
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As the height of wind turbines continues to soar, it has become increasingly necessary to achieve ‘bankable data’ from wind monitoring sensors at higher levels. Potential wind development sites are often remote, so monitoring masts need to be easily transported, lightweight and possible to construct with minimal effort. For masts in excess of 60m to survive extreme conditions, the tower sections must have greater strength without excessively compromising the mast weight. In this article, Geoff Watson of Western Windpower describes the development programme for the company’s new 70m HiMast.By Dr Geoff Watson, Business Manager, Western Windpower Ltd, UK
- Category: Articles
A Future Market for Turbines from Repowering Projects
In Central Europe an increasing number of used wind turbines are becoming available at attractive prices following repowering projects. In Europe it is difficult to reinstall these turbines because they require a lot of space and this is the main bottleneck for further expansion of wind energy. A solution could be to export these wind turbines to developing countries so that the energy produced could substitute for diesel fuel. This would decrease the dependence of these countries on more and more expensive fuel imports. Lahmeyer International has undertaken a feasibility study for a wind–diesel system, and a summary is presented in this article.
By Bungo Ezawa, Head of Department Renewable Energies – Wind Energy, Lahmeyer International, GermanyIn Central Europe an increasing number of used wind turbines are becoming available at attractive prices following repowering projects. In Europe it is difficult to reinstall these turbines because they require a lot of space and this is the main bottleneck for further expansion of wind energy. A solution could be to export these wind turbines to developing countries so that the energy produced could substitute for diesel fuel. This would decrease the dependence of these countries on more and more expensive fuel imports. Lahmeyer International has undertaken a feasibility study for a wind–diesel system, and a summary is presented in this article.- Category: Articles
Targets and Benefits
Time and cost benefits can be achieved by the imaginative use of a broad range of services for geotechnical and geophysical data gathering for offshore wind farm sites. Today, there is a comprehensive range of services available to acquire engineering data for the planning, installation and post-construction monitoring of offshore wind farm structures. Applied systematically, each stage of investigation will add to the understanding of the ground model for the site and will help to fine-tune and target the requirements for any subsequent investigations.
By Tony Hodgson, Project Manager, Fugro Engineering Services and Ed Cookson, Heathrow Communications, UK
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Time and cost benefits can be achieved by the imaginative use of a broad range of services for geotechnical and geophysical data gathering for offshore wind farm sites. Today, there is a comprehensive range of services available to acquire engineering data for the planning, installation and post-construction monitoring of offshore wind farm structures. Applied systematically, each stage of investigation will add to the understanding of the ground model for the site and will help to fine-tune and target the requirements for any subsequent investigations.By Tony Hodgson, Project Manager, Fugro Engineering Services and Ed Cookson, Heathrow Communications, UK
- Category: Articles
Their Use in Key Areas of Turbine Operation
In order to achieve their design potential as credible alternative providers of energy, wind turbine systems have to employ highly efficient, reliable and robust components. Among the most important of these components are gearboxes; in particular, planetary gearboxes. One of the manufacturers of planetary gearboxes is Brevini. This article describes the company’s activities within this field.
By Luca Bortolani, Technical Communication and Web Marketing Manager, Brevini Riduttori, Italy
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In order to achieve their design potential as credible alternative providers of energy, wind turbine systems have to employ highly efficient, reliable and robust components. Among the most important of these components are gearboxes; in particular, planetary gearboxes. One of the manufacturers of planetary gearboxes is Brevini. This article describes the company’s activities within this field.By Luca Bortolani, Technical Communication and Web Marketing Manager, Brevini Riduttori, Italy
- Category: Articles
A Tool for Monitoring White-Fronted Goose Movements
The UK government now has ambitious targets for the overall contribution of renewable energy to the UK’s energy budget. These higher targets have resulted in an increase in applications for onshore and offshore renewable energy developments. In the UK, many of the renewable resources with the most potential are at their greatest in Scotland. This has of course created some conflict, in particular with respect to wind generation, because of Scotland’s remote habitats and the species of conservation concern, including key bird species, that use these areas. Therefore, developers and statutory bodies have been pressed to seek state of the art assessment methods for accurately gauging potential environmental impacts.By Richard Walls and Mark Parnel, Bird Management Unit, Central Science Laboratory (CSL), UK
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