GE Developing New Generator Designed For 10+ MW Wind Turbine (uses superconductors)) [View All]

[kristopher]

GE Developing New Generator Designed For 10+ MW Wind Turbines
by NAW Staff on Tuesday 30 August 2011

GE Global Research says it has begun work on the first phase of a two-year, $3 million project from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a wind turbine generator that could support large-scale wind applications in the 10 MW to 15 MW range.

Most wind turbines have conventional generators that are connected to a gearbox, which is used to step up lower blade speeds into higher speeds. According to GE Global Research, this method is effective, but will become more costly as developers scale up to larger wind platforms, due to the required additional weight and maintenance needs.

"With the industry's desire for higher-megawatt machines to maximize clean wind power opportunities in the U.S. and around the globe, new technologies will be needed to support larger-scale wind platforms," says Keith Longtin, wind technology leader at GE Global Research. “The key challenge will be delivering solutions that achieve the right scale and cost.”

Longtin adds that the application of superconducting technology could enable significant improvements to the generator and make the elimination of the gearbox more economical.

The keys are ...

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