SgurrControl has launched a new offshore wind reliability project.
The Department for Energy and Climate Change’s (DECC) Offshore Wind Components Technology Scheme awarded the Glasgow-based control engineering firm £667,000 to examine the capability of individual blade control.
ATLAS (Advanced Turbine Load Alleviation System) technology adjusts each blade’s pitch angle to respond to measured loads, reducing fatigue.
The two year project will measure the benefits of deploying the technology.
ATLAS will be implemented on a Blaaster Wind Technologies 3MW DL101 wind turbine in Valsneset, Norway and the project will include two SgurrEnergy Galion Lidar devices to further analyse the response of the wind turbine to variations in wind shear, veer and gusts flowing into the turbine.
Director of SgurrControl, David Robb, said: “We are delighted to be leading this project at a time when offshore wind is growing and maturing. Our involvement is an excellent opportunity to highlight the benefits of blade control technology and the impact on wind turbine optimisation.
“The use of improved control strategies such as ATLAS is a cost effective method of enhancing design optimisation, extending the life of wind turbines, both onshore and offshore, and addressing specific functional issues that can occur in operation. This project will provide a real life example of the results that can be realised from wind turbine individual blade control.”
Energy and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, added: “The UK is already the world leader in offshore wind – with more deployed than any other country. The benefits that offshore wind can bring are clear – from enhancing our energy security, reducing our dependence on imports and helping reduce our carbon emissions.
“Innovation is critical to cutting the cost of this low-carbon power source, which could in turn lead to lower bills for hardworking consumers. I wish the winners every success with their projects.”
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