GE Developing New Generator Designed For 10+ MW Wind Turbine (uses superconductors))

[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 ...

http://www.nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.8489

[txlibdem]

1. Losing the gearbox means far lower maintenance and repair costs

:woohoo:
Their only downside is that the nacelle is larger and the tower and footing has to be beefed up but the increased cost up front is far more than made up for by no longer having to regularly change the oil in each and every wind turbine (gearbox needs oil), plus gearboxes fail due to turbulent winds, storms, wear and tear, etc.

Siemens is also working on wind turbines with no gearboxes. These type will eventually dominate the industry.
http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/news_events/innovationnews/innovationnews_articles/2011/e_021_ino_1119_1.htm

Wind Turbines Shed Their Gears
Both Siemens and GE bet on direct-drive generators.
* Tuesday, April 27, 2010
* By Peter Fairley

Wind turbine manufacturers are turning away from the industry-standard gearboxes and generators in a bid to boost the reliability and reduce the cost of wind power.

http://www.technologyreview.com/energy/25188/

Notice the rapid increase in turbine output: this article talks about 3 MW turbines and now GE is working on 10 to 15 MW wind turbines!

:woohoo:

[sam11111]

2. How they sell sprcndoctrs? RR classified work on them

Aside... GE ran ads worshipping RR recently.

How low can they get? He cut housing aid 76%. He singlehandedly caused homelessness.

[FBaggins]

3. Incredible

One has to wonder what the theoretical maximum size is for one of these things. There going to have to start lifting blades in sections.

[OKIsItJustMe]

6. Blade strength/composition is a limiting factor

That’s why this research is being done:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=309339&mesg_id=309339

[OKIsItJustMe]

7. 'Largest wind turbine blade' in the world (72 meters long) to be built in UK

http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=17689

'Largest wind turbine blade' in the world to be built in UK

18 February 2010, source edie newsroom

A British firm has announced it will build the world's largest wind turbine in a new factory. The Britannia blade will be developed Clipper Windpower Marine at their new factory, a 4000m2 facility expected to be completed towards the end of 2010.

The factory, it was announced today (February 18) will be used to develop and build blades for the 'Britannia Project', a 10MW offshore wind turbine prototype under development by Clipper.

A prototype is scheduled for deployment in late 2012, and according to the company will be 'among the largest wind turbines' under development in the industry.

Blades will be 72 metres long and weigh more than 30 tonnes and will be funded partly by a Department of Energy and Climate Change grant of £4.46m, which was awarded to Clipper in September last year.

…

[phantom power]

4. wow. superconductors?

If you lose the gearbox, but take on infrastructure for superconductors, is this an improvement in complexity? I suppose it's not a mechanical fail point like a gearbox.

[AtheistCrusader]

5. Wicked awesome

[NickB79]

8. Hope they don't use rare-earth elements

:evilgrin: