Turbine test bed breakthrough
A facility to test wind turbine induction generators at ground level has been unveiled on Merseyside.
Liverpool-based Rewinds & J Windsor & Sons (Engineers) claims to be the first company in the UK to be able to test induction generator units before they are re-fitted to their elevated working position.
The company has designed and constructed a special rig that can test generators of up to 1MW. With minor modifications this rating can be upgraded.
The generators undergo a series of ground level tests including stator and rotor current measurement, as well as temperature, and vibration monitoring.
”Operators face massive cost and continuity issues in repairing and reinstalling generator units which can weigh up to 9 tonnes,” said the company’s director, Lee Windsor.
The Windsor team is currently working on electronic rotor current control systems.
