Technology
Wind
turbines, meteorological towers, and a remote site control system are
integral parts of a windplant. Its purpose is to convert wind energy
into electrical power. This is accomplished by converting the wind
energy into rotating mechanical energy that drives electrical
generators, producing electrical power. A local transformer is then used
to step up the voltage, and power lines transport the electricity to a
common grid. Operation of the Southern Alberta Wind Plants is controlled
remotely by a computerized windplant control system at the Pincher Creek
operations centre.
Kenetech
KVS-33M
The Kenetech KVS-33M wind turbine is a horizontal axis, up-wind machine
mounted on a 24.5 meter (80 foot) lattice tower and operates in wind
speeds of 14 to 97 km per hour (9 to 60 miles per hour). This turbine
has a 3 bladed, 33 meter (108 foot) diameter rotor. The blades are
capable of variable pitch for aerodynamic performance across a broad
range of wind speeds and each turbine is rated up to 375 kW. An advanced
power electronic converter design allows the rotor and generators to
accelerate with higher wind speeds while maintaining a constant
frequency output. This variable speed technology provides improved power
quality and higher energy capture than is possible with constant speed
wind turbines.
The
Kenetech model KVS-33M wind turbines are equipped with several features
which allow them to operate in cold weather, including; blades treated
with ice-shedding black coating, sub-zero oil in gearboxes, heaters in
the hydraulic power unit and convertor components rated to -40 degrees.
Nordex
N60
The wind turbines constructed on both Cowley North and the Sinnott are
Nordex N60 machines. The 15 on Cowley North added 19.5 MW of capacity on
the ridge, and the Sinnott Windplant is rated at 6.5 MW.
The Nordex
N60 is equipped with stall regulation and produces a nominal output of
1.3 megawatts. With a rotor diameter of 60 meters (197 ft.), these
turbines can be operated between wind speeds of 3 m/s and 25 m/s (6.7 to
56 mph, or 10.8 to 90 km/hr). At both Cowley North and the Sinnott
Windplants we have installed the CCV turbine, a special version for cold
climate. The nominal operating speed for this turb ine is 15 m/s (33.5
mph or 54 km/hr).
The
generator, gearing and many other components are attached in such a way
that vibrations are either not transmitted or are muffled, which reduces
noise emissions. Helical gearing of all gearwheels also reduces the
noise level of the gearbox.
The nacelle
is supported by a 43.1 meter (141.4 foot) tube tower which is made of
steel. The nacelle with hub weighs 58.5 t., while each blade weighs 5
t., and the tower weighs 68 t. The blades are constructed from
fiberglass with a lightening receptor in the blade tip. Hydraulic
pressure holds the blade tips in position and when the machine stops it
looses hydraulic pressure causing the blade tips to deploy by
centrifugal force. Each blade is 29 meters (95 ft.) long.
Nordex
turbines have a water cooling system that keeps the generator and the
gearbox at a constant temperature during hot weather. In colder weather
they have a heater in the generator, and another for the gearbox oil.
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