Abstract
The recent trend toward large wind turbines has led to very expensive gearboxes that hinder their feasibility. The gearboxes for these wind turbines are more expensive per kilowatt (kW) of rated power than for smaller turbines because the torque increases more quickly than the power when increasing the rotor diameter. Multiple-generator drivetrain configurations can reduce the drivetrain cost forlarge wind turbines while increasing the energy capture and reliability. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is reexamining the benefits of multiple-generator configurations through the Wind Partnership for Advanced Component Technology (WindPACT) program. This paper qualitatively compares a multiple-generator drivetrain configuration to a conventional drivetrain.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 11 |
| State | Published - 2002 |
| Event | 21st American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Wind Energy Symposium - Reno, Nevada Duration: 14 Jan 2002 → 17 Jan 2002 |
Conference
| Conference | 21st American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Wind Energy Symposium |
|---|---|
| City | Reno, Nevada |
| Period | 14/01/02 → 17/01/02 |
Bibliographical note
Prepared for the 21st American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Wind Energy Symposium, 14-17 January 2002, Reno, NevadaNREL Publication Number
- NREL/CP-500-31178
Keywords
- drivetrain
- multiple-generator drivetrain configuration
- wind energy
- wind turbine