The variations in WTs are now more concentrated on the drive train itself and the electrical arrangements of these configurations, and these features affect the turbine performance and therefore its reliability. There is no clear ideal OWT configuration for reliability, rather that OEMs should ensure that drive train sub-assemblies are thoroughly tested before installation in the wind turbine and that WT nacelles should be prototype load-tested or even production tested at load if they are to be installed offshore.

Chapter Contents:

• 4.1 Modern wind turbine configurations
• 4.2 WT configuration taxonomy
• 4.2.1 General
• 4.2.2 Concepts and configurations
• 4.2.3 Sub-assemblies
• 4.2.4 Populations and operating experience
• 4.2.5 Industrial reliability data for sub-assemblies
• 4.3 Reliability analysis assuming constant failure rate
• 4.4 Analysis of turbine concepts
• 4.4.1 Comparison of concepts
• 4.4.2 Reliability of sub-assemblies
• 4.4.2.1 General
• 4.4.2.2 Generators
• 4.4.2.3 Gearboxes
• 4.4.2.4 Converters
• 4.5 Evaluation of current different WT configurations
• 4.6 Innovative WT configurations
• 4.7 Summary
• 4.8 References

Inspec keywords: offshore installations; power generation reliability; electric drives; wind turbines

Other keywords: production testing; wind turbine configuration; OEM; drive train assemblies; wind turbine performance; offshore installation; WT variations; electrical arrangements; prototype load testing; WT nacelles

Subjects: Reliability; Drives; Wind power plants