Windpower
Introduction
To reduce the carbon footprint and fulfill the goal of carbon-neutrality, it is important that the wind turbines or windmills work optimally over their whole lifespan, which is around 25 years. In addition, the maintenance costs should be kept to a minimum. Due to several laws and regulations like the renewable energy law and due to the increase in the rated power of a single wind power plant above 8 MW, the capacity of the windmills is constantly on the rise.
In offshore wind power plants, the full capacity is approximately 4000 hours, and that of onshore power plants is roughly half of the mentioned value. Wind Power or Wind energy is one of the major components of renewable energy which also consists of water, photovoltaics, biomass, and solar energy.
Working principle
A wind turbine with horizontal shaft consists of a wind-driven rotor, which is connected to a generator to produce electricity using wind-power. The kinetic energy of the wind is transformed into mechanical energy of the rotating rotor. To get maximum power out of the wind, which is theoretically 60% of the power contained in the wind, the wind turbine slows down the wind velocity after the wind turbine to around 1/3 of the wind velocity in front of the wind turbine. But in reality, this value is smaller. The wind power is proportional to wind velocity to the power of 3. Due to the shape of the blades, there is a buoyancy on each blade which rotates the rotor, like the force on the wings of an airplane. A 3-blade rotor design is the perfect balance between enough blades to guide an optimum air flow and minimal air resistance.
Conversion of mechanical energy:
The rotational mechanical energy drives a shaft-coupled generator. By using converters, the electricity is converted to a grid compatible form. There exist a few different wind power plant types like direct shaft-driven generator or a windmill with a gearbox between the rotor and the generator.
Damaging effects
Due to the fast switching of the electrical elements inside the converter, there are a lot of radiated and conducted disturbances, which can cause damage to the wind turbine themselves, as well as the equipment and environment around the wind turbine. This damage includes, but is not limited to, motor bearing damage, increased wear of other components, disturbance created for sensors and other related equipment, all of which results in additional maintenance and increased downtime which ultimately leads additional costs either directly or indirectly.
The Solution
The Blueferrite Nanocrystalline Cores, which are simply a high impedance for parasitic high frequency common-mode or ground currents. They are easy to install and are mounted between converter and generator in the application. The nanocrystalline cores reduce unwanted electromagnetic emissions, both radiated and conducted, and at the same time reduce common-mode currents to a safe minimum.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
-
How do wind turbines contribute to green energy?
Wind turbines convert wind energy into electricity, offering a renewable and clean energy source that reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
-
What are common challenges faced by wind turbines?
Turbines face technical challenges such as electromagnetic interference, which can affect performance and durability.
-
How does electromagnetic interference affect wind turbine performance?
Electromagnetic interference can lead to operational inefficiencies and increased maintenance needs, impacting overall turbine effectiveness.
-
What solutions does Blueferrite offer for wind turbine efficiency?
Blueferrite provides technologies that mitigate electromagnetic interference, enhancing turbine reliability and reducing maintenance costs.
-
How to reduce maintenance costs for wind turbines?
Blueferrite reduces maintenance costs by mitigating electromagnetic interference in wind turbines, improving reliability and efficiency, which lowers expenses and extends turbine lifespans.