The DOE Next-Generation Drivetrain for Wind Turbine Applications: Gearbox, Generator, and Advanced Si/SiC Hybrid Inverter System: Preprint
This paper reports on the design and testing results from the U.S. Department of Energy Next-Generation Wind Turbine Drivetrain Project. The drivetrain design reduces the cost of energy by increasing energy capture through drivetrain efficiency improvements; by reducing operation and maintenance costs through reducing gearbox failures; and by lowering capital costs through weight reduction and a series of mechanical and electronic innovations. The paper provides an overview of the drivetrain gearbox and generator and provides a deeper look into the power converter system. The power converter has a number of innovations including the use of hybrid silicon (Si)/silicon carbide (SiC) isolated baseplate switching modules. Switching energies are compared between SiC and Si PIN diodes. The efficiency improvement by use of the SiC diode in a three-level converter is also described. Finally, a brief discussion covering utility interconnect requirements for turbines is provided with a particular focus on utility events that lead to high transient torque loads on drivetrain mechanical elements.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Wind and Water Technologies Office (EE-4W)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1301814
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-5000-66562
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Presented at the IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition, 18-22 September 2016, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
wind energy
cost-of-energy
drivetrain
permanent magnet generator
silicon carbide
SiC
Silicon PIN diode
medium voltage inverter
neutral point clamp NPC
inverter efficiency
FERC 661
NERC utility interconnect
LVRT
frequency support
negative sequence
asynchronous generation
converter efficiency