U.S. manufacturer Moog has supplied an AC servo motion-controlled pitch system for a 3-MW wind turbine in China. “In 2011, China’s emphasis on wind energy development will boost the wind energy sector. Chinese wind turbine manufacturers are ramping up their investment to seize a larger share of the world market,” says Lars Rasmussen, Moog’s general manager for the Asia Pacific region.
This is the first time Moog has supplied its AC servo motion-control pitch to a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer for a project in China. The new anti-corrosion and moisture-proof design protects its components against harsh weather. The 3-MW turbine system also incorporates Moog’s latest pitch motor. This synchronous servo motor provides motion-control redundancy during an emergency and is highly reliable and precise. Moog’s pitch motor, when paired with its pitch servo drive for wind turbines, meets stringent technical specifications for all types of wind energy applications. And the adoption of ultra capacitors in place of widely-used lead-acid batteries as backup power offers enhanced system reliability and reduced maintenance costs.
“Harsh operating environments have raised the requirements demanded of pitch motors for wind turbines. Consequently, AC servo motor technology is the choice for future developments. In these circumstances, we strive to help our key customers improve pitch control performance and energy efficiency of large turbines. Additionally, our customers will save on operation and maintenance costs.” adds Rasmussen. “We believe that our global experience and local capabilities can support our partners in leading the future wind energy industry, as well as encouraging the development of wind energy in China.”
The Moog Pitch Control System is a motion control system ensures effective use of wind energy and protection for large mainstream wind turbines. Moog’s Pitch Servo Drives are designed to operate under extreme temperature conditions within the switch cabinets of wind turbine rotor hubs. This system is also designed to withstand extremely high mechanical loads, while improving the operating efficiency of wind turbines.
Improving grid connection capability is one of the technical challenges that Chinese wind turbine OEMs must address urgently, and LVRT (Low Voltage Ride Through) capability is critical for minimizing turbine downtime under unstable grid power conditions. In June 2010, Moog and GUP completed China’s first LVRT wind turbine test. Moog’s new pitch system tailored for GUP’s first 3-MW wind turbine also has this feature and maximizes safety performance.
Moog www.moog.com/wind
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