In Depth: Taking a fluid approach to wind turbine drivetrains

ChapDrive's 225kW turbine seen from the nacelle of its 900kW prototype in Valsnes, Norway

ChapDrive

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By Darius Snieckus Bristol

 Monday, April 30 2012

Updated: Monday, November 26 2012

A hydraulically powered drivetrain design that could boost wind turbine reliability and slice 15-20% off the cost of geared and direct-drive units is being readied for comprehensive testing in northern Norway.

Trondheim-based ChapDrive’s technology would slim down and simplify transmission systems by doing away with the mechanical gearbox, frequency converter and transformer.

In their place would be a low-speed hydraulic pump and high-speed variable-displacement hydraulic motor with digital valves that turns a high-voltage permanent-magnet-free synchronous generator.

The ChapDrive design, which could eventually be at the heart of a 5MW floating turbine with a top-weight of less than 200 tonnes, will be tested in the nacelle of a 225kW turbine at Valsnes on the western coast.

“The early thinking for this took place [in Log in to read complete article.

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