Navy applications experience with small wind-power systems. Report for June 1982-June 1984

Technical Report · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:6479741

Pal, D

This report describes the experience gained and lesson learned from the ongoing field evaluations of seven small, 2- to 20-kW wind energy conversion systems (WECS) at Navy installations located in the southern California desert, on San Nicolas Island, in California, and in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. The field tests show that the WECS's bearings and yaw slip-rings are prone to failure. The failures were attributed to the corrosive environment and poor design practices. Based upon the field tests, it is concluded that a reliable WECS must use a permanent-magnet alternator without a gearbox and yaw slip-rings that are driven by a fixed pitch wind-turbine rotor. The present state-of-the-art in small WECS technology, including environmental concerns, is reviewed. Also presented is how the technology is advancing to improve reliability and availability for effectively using wind power at Navy bases. The field evaluations are continuing on the small WECS in order to develop operation, maintenance, and reliability data.

• Research Organization: Naval Civil Engineering Lab., Port Hueneme, CA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6479741
• Report Number(s): AD-A-158561/1/XAB; NCEL-TN-1724
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

17 WIND ENERGY
170603* -- Wind Energy Engineering-- Power-Conversion Systems
ALTERNATORS
ARID LANDS
BEARINGS
CALIFORNIA
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVERSION
CORROSION
DESERTS
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
FEDERAL REGION IX
FIELD TESTS
HAWAII
INSTALLATION
INVERTERS
MACHINERY
MILITARY FACILITIES
NORTH AMERICA
POWER
RELIABILITY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
ROTORS
TESTING
TURBINES
TURBOMACHINERY
USA
WIND
WIND POWER
WIND TURBINES