Wind power plant manufacturer the Bard Group is further developing the technology of its Bard 5.0 wind turbine, to be used in a commercial wind farm 100 km off the coast of Germany.
With a new and more efficient drive concept that retains the original rotor diameter of 122 m and a hub height of 90 m, wind can soon be used more effectively.
The WinDrive is a variable-speed planetary gear with a torque converter. Its key function is to control and convert the variable-speed input of the wind turbine rotor into a constant output speed for driving synchronous generators. Depending on the wind speed, the WinDrive adjusts the wind rotor to its most efficient operating point and its highest efficiency. At nominal power, the WinDrive acts as a backup for controlling torque limitations.
The company states that the development of the Bard 5.0 to an increased output of 30%, or 6,5 MW, is an important step towards the commercial viability of offshore wind power systems.
The central component in the driveline of the turbine, the WinDrive, will be used in a Bard wind turbine for the first time.
Voith Turbo Wind, developer of the Win-Drive system, is working with the Bard Group on this project, which uses WinDrive technology. The delivery of the WinDrive system is scheduled for spring 2010. Bard Offshore 1 will be the first commercial wind park in Germany.
Voith Turbo Wind reports that the Win-Drive system is quickly meeting the requirements of energy suppliers for power station characteristics of wind parks.
By using WinDrive technology, it has, for the first time, been possible to use synchronous generators that are directly coupled to the grid and power station. This has resulted in all the required criteria for feeding electricity into the grid being met.
The upgraded wind power stations are expected to enter service in offshore projects of the Bard Group over the next few years. Besides the already approved project, Bard Offshore 1, the company has submitted further applications for approval to the German authority (the BSH Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency).
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