Skip to content

Renewable Energy

A New Wind Blows Sheer Efficiency

by Colin Ricketts 24 Apr 2013
A New Wind Blows Sheer Efficiency

A view of the completed wind turbine enclosed in its stator, AG and rotor frames. It is backed with a cryostat that doesn't require cryogenic fluids, a real breakthrough, using a novel cryogenic cooling technology; Credit: © SUPRAPOWER/EU

The EU are funding more power, more reliability and less mass in the SUPRAPOWER off-shore wind turbine. The key objective over the next 4 years is to achieve a suitable superconducting or SC technology in order to increase the power capabilities of turbines above 10MW.

While we've all been making do with foreign-built wind-power, the Europeans have given Tecnalia the go-ahead to combine brains and expertise of 9 European partners in renewable energy in order to make it cheaper and more efficient. Tecnalia is a Spanish company which leads in technological applied research, situated in Derio in northern Spain.

How to do it:

1. reduce the head mass of the huge current models, alongside size and costing by constructing a smaller generator, using the aforesaid SC technology ;

2. have a direct drive system which will help the reduction in cost as well as operating, transportation and maintenance costs;

3. maximise power with dedicated control systems;

4. support the development of offshore wind potential and encourage the use of turbines.

Since December, electrical conversion aspects and manufacturing concerns have been taken into consideration as the scaling up exercise from current wind turbine types is begun. Permanent magnet generators are heavy requiring large foundations and massive support for operation and maintenance. The SC head weighs only 200t with a speed of 10rpm and a torque of 10MN-m. That 10MW+ power output is the present limit for any permanent magnet turbine.

The wire used for the SC generator is called MgB2, forming a coil design specially-suited to rotational functions. Apparently MgB2 wire avoids the high price of many alternative systems based on HTS wire. The additional attraction is that rare earth elements are not required either, as the price of these elements rises faster and faster.

The Karlruhe Institute of Technology is involved with its Cryogenic Engineering Division, so that a rotating cryostat can cool down the superconducting coils to an amazing - 253°C. Dr Holger Neumann explains further: "Since the cooling performance of such coolers is limited, we must ensure that heat between them and the superconducting coils is conducted well. Besides, we must consider the influence of rotation on the heat pipes we may use. On the other hand, the cryostat needs a highly effective thermal insulation."

The concepts of new cryogenic technology without using polluting cryogenic fluids and the use of warm iron pole rotors mean vast cost reduction as promised in the original specification, providing for the high toque transmission. The modularity of construction will also make the appeal for operation and maintenance much greater. Already, the manufacturing costs are expected to be reduced by 30%.

Such advances mean the prospect of an EU carbon emissions cut of 20% can be more easily met, with dramatic cuts in greenhouse gases from all fossil fuels.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping