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Wind Turbine Generator Reliability Analysis to Reduce Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Costs

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1992825· OSTI ID:1992825
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6]
  1. Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States)
  2. Cinch Inc., Livermore, CA (United States)
  3. Machine Building Specialists, LLC, Manitowoc, WI (United States)
  4. Shermco Industries Inc., Irving, TX (United States)
  5. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  6. Duke Univ., Durham, NC (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Wind turbine major systems (blades, pitch, main bearing, gearbox, and generator) are integrated into a composite system. Specifications for these systems and components are developed to achieve symmetry of operation, avoiding negative interaction. For instance, the main bearing, gearbox, and generator (drivetrain) components are interdependent, functioning in unison for efficient energy production. Hence, wind resource and grid interactions affecting the drivetrain impact the performance and reliability of the turbine generator. This paper discusses generator reliability covering the technology evolution over the last 20 years. EPRI's Wind Network for Enhanced Reliability (WinNER) web-based tool and Shermco Industries databases are presented, and conclusions are drawn regarding failures specific to generator design, manufacturing, and operating conditions. Additionally, this paper compares the life expectancy of stator-fed configurations and doubly fed generator systems.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Wind Energy Technologies Office
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1992825
Report Number(s):
NREL/TP--5000-86721; MainId:87496; UUID:d8359e7a-ef4e-4ec4-b978-46893d542019; MainAdminID:69997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
Digitalization
Generator
Operations and Maintenance
Reliability
Wind Turbine