Page 11 - North American Clean Energy May June 2018 Issue

wind power
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MAY•JUNE2018 /// www.nacleanenergy.com
Nordic May and June 2018 Half page for NACE.indd
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North American Clean E4/n6/e20r1g8 y9:21:01 AM 21
‘Switching’ It Up
Finding the right solution to make wind turbine technology safer
by Stephen Linn
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a wind turbine technician is the fastest-growing occupation
in the United States. With the rising societal mandate for clean energy and e cient technologies, this type of job will continue to be in high demand. Currently, the U.S. wind industry employs more than 100,000 people; employment of wind turbine service technicians is projected to grow 96 percent from 2016 to 2026, the second highest rate behind solar photovoltaic installers.
With rapid hiring comes the need for e cient and intensive job training – speci cally when it comes to safety. Due to the dangerous job conditions, wind turbine technicians typically receive more than 12 months of on-the-job training. On any given day, technicians are faced with hazardous weather, working at extreme heights, and with high electrical voltages. Even with extensive training, a technician is always at risk.
Wind turbine manufacturers and energy suppliers also need to do everything in their power to protect employees from workplace hazards, and guarantee their safety. Choosing the
right switchgear for wind turbines is critical to eliminating employee safety risks. Continued advancements target installation simplicity, maintenance, and safety, regardless of location.
Flourish in Harsh Conditions
When it comes to challenging conditions, it’s important to choose switchgear that’s
not only designed to survive, but thrive in every environment. Switchgear should be independently rated and tested for harsh conditions, including snow, rain, wind, and dust.
Choosing switchgear that is rated with an IP68 certi cation is essential. is certi cation ensures that the switchgear is protected against any contamination from dust, dirt, sand and submersion. Because wind farms operate in some
of the earth’s most unrelenting environments, such as along coastlines, many turbine components are exposed to salt water, sand, and ooding. Make sure the switchgear is rated for ooding; if ooding is a regular occurrence, consider selecting equipment that can be submersed inde nitely.
Switchgear that can handle wide uctuations in temperature is also an important consideration. Look for products that have a temperature range from as low as -40°C, to as high as 65°C.
While consistent and strong wind is important for turbines, too much wind can damage their switchgear. Finding switchgears that can endure high winds is paramount. Additionally, look for systems with remote software that allows you to closely monitor wind speeds, and shut o the tower to prevent damage.
Switchgear should be able to withstand major earthquakes. In states like California, be sure to follow local codes. For example, all equipment inside the towers must meet OSHPD level 3 (2.5g) and pass ICCES-AC-156 testing,
a seismic certi cation by shake-table testing of nonstructural components.
Safety Considerations for any Climate
No matter the weather or region, there are some basic considerations when specifying switchgear. To address safety concerns, products are being designed to keep technicians out of harm’s way. ere are three major safety advantages when it comes to today’s switchgear.
• Any contamination could cause heat, and then cause a failure of the elbow. Not having to remove the elbow reduces the chances of contamination.
2. Visible Break
• e visible break allows an operator to see the contacts
(which are conducting energy) to be in either the open position or disconnected position, so the technicians can see that there is not a continuous circuit, and safely complete their work.
• Having a visual break inside of the switch, without having to remove elbows, prevents contamination, making the job easier and faster.
3. Arc-Flash Resistance
• According to OSHA, the majority of wind tower injuries
and fatalities are related to arc- ash incidents.
• e best way to keep a technician safe is with arc
resistance. e most common type of arc resistance is
a planned rupture and vent system.
• When pressure builds to where it can no longer be
contained, a rupture disk is designed to break and vent hot gases, indicating to the technician that there is a failure inside the switch.
• Ultimately, it is designed to vent into an exhaust compartment, where it can be contained and directed away from the technician. However, it doesn’t reduce the amount of energy in the arc- ash
ere is also a less-common type of arc resistance that provides containment. In this design, instead of having a planned rupture point, the switch is designed to contain the pressure rise created by the fault and resulting arc ash for a prescribed period of
time. is design further reduces the risk to the technician by preventing exposure to any hot gases.
Gear manufacturing software
Sandvik Coromant has extended the functionality
of its InvoMilling software. e latest version of this user-friendly CAD/CAM solution for fast and simple
NC programming o ers even more possibilities when manufacturing gears on universal ve-axis machining centers. e software will also enable customers to produce straight bevel gears and herringbone gears. InvoMilling exploits machine tool kinetics for the e ective and exible manufacturing of high-quality gears and splines in quality level 6 or better (according to DIN 3962). After entering
the required gear data, the intuitive CAD/CAM software de nes the optimum machining strategies and generates
a CNC program that allows the production of di erent
gear pro les using just a few standard precision tools. e software also o ers graphics as well as features to create and simulate milling paths. As well as upcoming options for herringbone, double helical (with and without gap), and straight bevel gears, an additional new function available
in the latest version of InvoMilling is ank correction.
is applies to tip relief and crowning in both the ank
and pro le directions as well as helix and pressure angle corrections. Numerous improvements have also been made to the tools. For instance, adapted tools have been introduced to the tool library.
Sandvik Coromant | www.sandvik.coromant.com
Predictive maintenance for wind turbine owners and operators
Global lubricant manufacturer, Castrol, and Romax Technology (Romax), a provider of software, analysis, and services for rotating machinery, have launched ONYX InSight, a new predictive maintenance brand o ering wind energy asset owners and operators clarity and control over technological risks and operational expenditure; complete visibility
of what goes wrong, when and where, before enabling them to act on this analysis to re ne maintenance programs, maximize long-term performance, and minimize OPEX costs. ese bene ts are realized via a unique combination of specialist engineering consultancy and an integrated platform of proven hardware and cloud-based software. is includes ecoCMS, a condition monitoring system, FieldPro, a mobile solution for equipment inspection and reporting, and Fleet Monitor, an advanced web-based data analytics tool which brings
all critical monitoring, inspection, and maintenance data into one place.
ONYX InSight | www.onyxinsight.com
1.
Ground Position
Remote Operations:
• Many switchgear manufacturers o er the ability to add actuators as an orderable option to switchgear in the eld.
• Actuators, when paired with
a control package, can allow operators to get a safe distance away from equipment before issuing a command to open or close this switch. Increasing their distance from the switch reduces the risk of harm in case of an arc ash event.
To better understand how to utilize switchgear safety features and their advantages, onsite training is available for technicians. Ask your equipment provider for details, and whether or not they o er expert consultation and training.
Stephen Linn is a Field Application Engineer at G&W Electric Company, a global supplier of electric power equipment since 1905, including underground distribution switches, Lazer® Automation solutions, Viper® reclosers, distribution and transmission cable accessories, and current limiting system protection devices.
|
www.gwelec.com
Dennis, Brady. “ e U.S. Wind Industry Now Employs More than 100,000 People.” e Washington Post, WP Company, 19 Apr. 2017, www.washingtonpost.com/news/ energy-environment/wp/2017/04/19/the-u- s-wind-industry-now-employs-more-than- 100000-people/?utm_term=.334cf312af52.
Nordic Products Connect the Turbine to the Grid, One Product at a Time.
● Box Pads for Grounding Transformers ● MPP-141480-CB, Cross Bonding Pedestal
● 35kV 600Amp Junction Cabinets & 18” or 36” High Extensions
● Chuted Box Pads in various sizes accommodate a variety of Pad-Mount Transformers
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A ground position is very important for the switchgear, as it removes residual energy from cables for maintenance. Without the ground position, wind-turbine operators would have to remove elbows, or apply a grounding elbow, which can commonly lead
to contamination and failure upon restarting.
G&W Electric Company
ORDIC FIBERGLASS, INC.
Quality Products for the Electric Utility Industry
P.O. Box 27 Warren, MN 56762 Tel: 218-745-5095 Fax: 218-745-4990 www.nordic berglass.com