Wind turbine towers 1

[WIM32]

I have a question regarding the height of wind turbine towers. As I understand, the bigger turbines (1-2.5MW) currently operate (in Europe) at around 70-100 meters. Now I've read somewhere that at a higher operating height, the wind speed, thus the operating power, is greater. The problem is to get a tower that supports turbine heights larger than 100 m (125 meter for example). Do you have any experience in this field?
thanks in advance.
Wim

 

[imok2]

This web site may help

http://energy.sourceguides.com/businesses/byGeo/US/byP/wRP/lwindtower/byB/mfg/mfg.shtml

 

[Kutra]

I don't work in the industry, but as far as I know the limitations are economic not engineering. Vestas new V90-3.0MW comes on a choice of towers; 65, 80, 90,or 105m.

 

[jmw]

5MW is on the drawing boards and, according to some, already available. SInce these are for offshore, don't neglect the below the surface extent of the structure plus allowances for engineers to get straned there during storms.
Now one problem is not just the height, but the increased weightof the generator and gear box, and all the ancillary bits and pieces such as the Lube oil filter circuits, pumps tanks etc. I'd be interested in any thinking re weight, in the marine industry many of the newer azimuth pods are using room temperature superconductors as this keeps the weight down significantly. ANyone know about this?

 

[eyec]

if you are in the beginning stages of desing review or consideration for purchase try looking at other designs.

there is an alternative to the 300ft+ towers with a "skyprint" of only about 80 ft.

 

[eyec]

try looking @ the design by Mass Megawatt Windpower

http://www.massmegawatt.com

 

[HydroScope]

This one has a hub 120m in the air, and is in construction now ;o), a massive 5MW tower.

http://www.repower5m.com/impress_flash_uk.htm

 

[davefitz]

I saw some recent photos of some of these towers after they collapsed. I beliwev a lightning strike dmage a blade, and the dynamic unbalance was enough to topple the structure.

 

[jmw]

After the recent severe winds in Germany I noticed a number of them around Berlin with missing blades but otherwise apparently OK. Obviously, these are not 5MW units.



JMW

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[jmw]

PS I don't know that they lost their blades due to the wind...I wouldn't like to mislead...I have no idea why they were missing... just an observation I made when driving round after the storms.

JMW

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[HydroScope]

Since you guys are talking about failed turbine I searched the net for some.

If you scroll down half way picture of two blades hit by lightning

http://www.capecodonline.com/special/windfarm/windmountain12.htm

A wind turbine that has fallen over!! any idea's why peoples?? some of you geotechnical's got a story to tell with that expossed foundation???

http://www.noturbinesin.saddleworth.net/Pictures/FallenTurbine1.jpg

 

[jmw]

Looks to me like no foundation at all.... just a plinth on which they stuck the thing. And take a look at the steps leading to it. This suggests someone just poured a concrete pad, banked the earth up around it and put in some nice steps.

Saddleworth is a really nice stretch of moorland. Underlying it should be some nice rock formations they could anchor these things in.

I suspect that high winds could not be claimed as a cause since the siting of these things is in areas where winds are desirable. Well, not so nice, actually, since they couldn't even lay a few paving stones flat and even.

JMW

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