Introduction
Wind power now contributes a in the US alone, wind power capacity has grown by a sizable average of 29% a year for last five years; Giant sprawling & # 39; wind farms & # 39; will soon step off the trade magazine spreads and become a common sight.
The initial design of a transformer can have substantial implications on the future profitability of wind farms and thus, design and construction of transformer for use in wind farms - including Wind Turbine Step - Up (WTSU) Transformers - assays critical signal.
If these issues are not properly addressed at the right time, they may lead to significant system fluctuations especially when interconnected with the existing power grid.
Wind Turbine 101
A local transformer is then used to "step up" the electrical voltage, so that the electricity can They shut down when wind speeds over 55 - 60 mph, for safety reasons. Modern wind turbines built make use The blades are set at different angles to cope with varying wind speeds, and the generator and the The wind turbines are mounted on 40 to 100-meter tall towers, so as to capture strong wind wind.. Wind turbines come in d Single small turbines, up to 300 kilowatts, can be used in a variety of applications, including battery charging, providing power to remote cottages or communities, and powering farms and industrial These groups frequently come together in wind farms or wind farms or wind power plants to feed the electric grid. By grouping wind turbines into wind farms, it is possible to generate electricity more economically and to produce Wind Turbines: Basic Components
What are Wind Turbine Step-Up Transformers?
This turbine output (WTSU) Transformer plays a critical role in converting the generator output to transmission interruption power grid to end users. Wind turbine output voltages generally range from 480 volts to 690 volts. WTSU transformers in today & # 39; s wind generation schemes (WTSU transformer in today & # 39; s WTSU transformer is critical and, as such, its design needs to be robust. have to cope with a combination of:
o Wide variations in loading
o Harmonic and non-sinusoidal loads from associated control electronics and generators
o Sizing without protection for over-voltage, under-voltage or over-loading
o Requirement to & # 39; ride through & # 39; transient events and faults
The Need for Special Design and Construction Considerations
About resources 10% of the time. About 10% of the time. About 10% of the time Such thermal stress on insulation is that naturally higher. WTSU transforms do not suffer from these problems, but the lighter, more variable loading leads to other problems, such as:
o Core Losses
Core losses can become a significant economic factor for lightly loaded or idle transformers. Operational scenarios with an average loading of 30-35% make using conventional price evaluation formula inapplicable.
o Thermal Cycling
Varying loads can put put repeated thermal stress on the winding, clamping structure, seals and gaskets. Absorbing into the hot oil, only to be released as the oil cools, forming bubbles which can migrate to the insulation and windings, creating hot spots and partial discharges and damage insulation.
Off-the-shelf distribution transformer and power generator step-up transformer designs can not be copied with these issues, and will display higher incidence of insulation and dielectric failure.
The Solution: Custom-Built WTSU Transformers
The use of cruciform cores, more robust windings, clamping structures, seals and gaskets, and protective measures that prevent hot spots and partial discharges can all contribute to lengthening transformer life and improving reliability.
Much like rectifier transformers, WTSU transformers must be designed for harmonics, additional loading, and have electrostatic shields to prevent transfer of harmonic frequencies between the primary and secondary windings.
