Remote terminal software interface
"As large numbers of wind turbines are set in places difficult to reach by service personnel, it is essential that remote access is available to offer critical monitoring and control functions," said Tobias Rösmann, R&D manager for Moog.
Moog's solution is to offer new Wind Turbine Pitch Remote Terminal software, which is designed to help engineers and operators perform operational analysis and monitoring based on real-time data. This could reduce the need for time-consuming and costly onsite service visits and reduce wind power costs.
The software offers both better control and a more in-depth understanding of the operation of the pitch systems, both of which are critical to the efficiency and safety of wind turbines. Engineers and service personnel can both access the software using a single graphical user interface. This lets users remotely diagnose potential operational issues in the pitch system and take corrective actions by parameter editing or through preventive maintenance.
Displaying the status view of the pitch control system alongside important control information makes the software a comprehensive, easy-to-use service tool. The parameter editor offers a full dataset and protected access to key parameters in the pitch system control software. Integrated condition monitoring functions provide early diagnoses of potential issues, which is critical to reducing turbine downtime. The tool is designed to help operators plan onsite service work, allowing for effective and targeted maintenance. Software updates can be applied remotely to ensure customers can take advantage of continuous improvements in the tool based on feedback from global service organizations.
One critical component of this approach is accessibility to the key set of PLC parameters used to control the pitch system. By restructuring the software within the PLC and providing easy access to the parameter set, Moog was able to create a graphical user interface that makes visualizing system operations intuitive and easy. The functionality allows for remote access over an Ethernet link for monitoring wind farms spread over a large area.
Webster said most operators are also using SCADA systems in conjunction with the controls to monitor operating parameters, and they are visualizing system performance using control centers. The expectation is that the PLC parameters will implement the same data structure used in the customer's SCADA system.
Blade condition monitoring
Blade condition monitoring is another area where Bosch Rexroth has been developing expertise and solutions. The goal is to use rotor blade monitoring to increase the output of wind turbine generator systems. Many wind turbine operators still rely on visual inspections, rather than continuous blade monitoring. Damage from storms, icing, lightning strikes, and wind gusts are often detected only by routine inspections, when the repair expense is already high or a replacement is required.
Whether you can get a check depends on which state you are in for home, building size units.
small WT's in the 2-5kw sizes are very cost effective because they can cost less and easily cover the energy needed by an eff home on many cases. A 1500sq' home can easily run on a 2kw WT in average US conditions.
Hydrualics are a joke in this as they are not eff at all mostly under 50% eff, killing them vs 95% eff gears or 100% eff direct drive with no gearing. And a 2Mw radiator to get rid of the waste heat farther adds to the cost.
It's a really interesting idea Cabe. The physical size/diameter of the direct drive generators is typically much larger, but perhaps you keep only the tower and rotor (both very expensive) and replace the entire nacelle. It might work out that the tower fatigue life is close to the 20 year turbine design life even though the ultimate strength is the overriding design factor. It's been a few years since I took a tower design class so I'm not certain about that. Either way I'm sure people would be willing to invest in an upgrade (risking a tower fatigue failure) so long as there was a good value proposition. This assuming in 10-15 years we don't have towers collapsing frequently due to fatigue failures.
A small but large network of turbines is the future? That sounds like a good idea. The question now, can older/smaller/OEM turnbine be upgraded to modern gearless standards? If not, that could be a niche market for expansion.
I am in the industry and there are hydraulic drivetrain concepts and prototype turbines out there. Another touted advantage is putting the electrical generator on the ground. The reason this is not mainstream is the mechanical efficiency losses. A hydraulic drivetrain can peak in the 80's (%) while a gearbox operates above 95% efficiency. There is a lot of talk about gearboxes and failures because there are a lot of geared machines out there, but the industry is moving away from them. Both Siemens and GE (and others) are shipping >3MW direct drive machines these days. Purpose built low speed PM generators are now the most reliable and efficient way to convert wind to electricity.
Oh, and comment about residential turbines: Smaller turbines are more difficult to get a good return on because of their scale but there are midsize turbines (~50kW-500kW) that can provide good ROI in areas that have a decent wind resource coupled with high electricity costs. You can sell power to utilities if your state has a net metering law. google 'net metering' or look on 'windpoweringamerica.gov' to research using wind in your area. These turbines are too large still for the average home/property.
Below is link to web page that illustrates the advantages and approach to using either hydraulics or electromechanical systems for blade pitch control.
http://www.moog.com.cn/english/markets/energy/wind-turbines/blade-pitch-control/comparison-of-electric-hydraulic-blade-pitch-control/
The suppliers are split between offering hydraulic and electromechanical solutions with some companies like Moog offering both. The high power density and simplicity of fluid power keeps it in the game.
It is quite likely that a small portion of the hydraulic fluid from the power transfer lop could indeed be utilized for the other functions of blade pitch control and nacelle rotation. Of course it does come to mind that there are two typs of conditions where that may not work, which are during a shutdown (to avoid storm winds) period of no rotation, and when the wind was so slow that it would not turn the turbine blade. Of course, there could be hydraulic accumulators to provide backup for a while, and there could also be a backup pump running from auxilliary power. Other than that, there is no immeadiately obvious reason why not.
Now that the concept is published, perhaps some organization could run with it.
My understanding is that the utility company will not pay you any money. they will give you credit for future energy usage. But they will not actually send you a check. Therefore, you can only save what you would spend for each month. You can't actually make any money with an at home windmill. I don't know if this is still factual but it came from a reliable source at one time.
I read an article about some different people who put up private windmills on their property for their own personal use and even with the cost savings on energy it was going to take nearly 20 years to pay it off. I think until energy prices go way up it takes a long life for some of these green ideas to pay off.
As energy efficiency becomes more and more a concern for makers of electronics devices, researchers are coming up with new ways to harvest energy from sound vibration, footsteps, and even electromagnetic fields in the air.
The government wants to study your brain, and DARPA wants to use similar information to give robots true autonomy beyond any artificial intelligence developed to date. Sound like science fiction? It's not.
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
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