BEIS - 20MW Wind Turbine Drivetrain Coupling Device for Load Mitigation

Severe loadings and extreme events significantly reduce the reliability of wind turbines, leading to increased cost of wind energy. Amongst all failure events, gearbox failure is one of the most important factors for cost of energy increase - due to the high gearbox manufacturing and maintenance cost, as well as long downtime (required between failure and repair completion).Building on the promising bearing contact stress reduction achieved via a feasibility study, This project will develop a novel wind turbine drivetrain coupling system with inertance-integrated technology. The effectiveness of the technology will be demonstrated using a 20MW wind turbine drivetrain. The improvements will lead to reduced transient reversal torque under extreme scenarios such as the grid loss event, contributing to more reliable wind turbine drivetrain system and the reduced cost of energy.

Funder: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)

Project Partner: Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult