Page 19 - North American Clean Energy May June 2018 Issue

personnel with the correct equipment.
e generators and load banks supplied
to the industry enable turbines to be commissioned prior to connecting to
the power grid; this bene ts return on investment (ROI) by letting the developer begin production as soon as the project completes the wind farm’s substation. Saving time with reliable power equipment is important, given the tax incentives and credits available once the wind energy system is fully operational.
Operations and maintenance phase
In the post-commissioning phase, low- voltage power generators at the base
of each turbine can power ancillary equipment, such as lighting, and the hydraulic pumps to turn the rotor (to prevent bearing lock up). Alternatively, a central high voltage package can power the integrated system from
one point of connection, keeping transformers and switchgear running, in addition to the turbines.
Maintenance typically uses temporary power from standard generators, while transformers are available for the higher voltages, such as 690V (the industry standard for many years). In fact, transformers have been supplied for multiple uses; to connect the circuits in the eld, 480 V/34.5 transformers in the 2,500-to 5,000 kVa range are provided.
To keep the system operational, power has been supplied to the eld when the main transformer has failed, or the utility has to take the distribution system out of service. Whether it is a maintenance issue or an emergency situation, sometimes an entire wind farm must be taken o ine. When this occurs, a temporary mini-grid solution can support the entire wind farm, providing enough power for all the turbines to pitch and yaw correctly, and protect all warranties associated.
O ering unique designs and reliable models that weather severe conditions, temporary power generators can signi cantly reduce the costs and risks
of downtime across the lifecycle of a project. While Mother Nature never stops, the capabilities of such generators continue to expand, as the industry transitions into o shore projects in North America and elsewhere.
Bill Cook is a Renewable Energy Sector Manager for Aggreko, an international provider of power generation and temperature control solutions. In his role, Bill is focused on driving the company’s business strategies and relationships within the renewables market. He has been leading Aggreko’s business in the renewables sector for the last 12 years. Bill spends most of his time traveling and working with industry experts to develop solutions to their individual challenges. He lives in Chicago with his wife and four children.
A|ggreko | www.aggreko.com
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