Wind Energy Power Projects

Wind power project

Wind is the movement of air across the surface of the Earth,

affected by areas of high pressure and of low pressure.
Wind turbines are devices that convert the wind's kinetic
energy into electrical power.
Consist of many individual wind turbines, which are
connected to the electric power transmission network.
The land between the turbines may be used for agricultural
or other purposes.
A transmission line is required to bring the generated power
to markets.
For an off-shore station this may require a submarine cable.
Components of a Wind Energy Project

Almost all large wind turbines have the same design.

Consists of horizontal axis, an upwind rotor with three blades,
attached to a nacelle on top of a tall tubular tower.
In general, a distance of (7 × Rotor Diameter of the Wind Turbine) is
set between each turbine in a fully developed wind farm.
In a wind farm, individual turbines are interconnected with a medium
voltage (usually 34.5 kV) power collection system and
communications network.
At a substation, this medium-voltage electric current is increased in
voltage with a transformer for connection to the high voltage electric
power transmission system.
1. Foundation.
2. Connection to
Electric Grid.
3. Tower.
4. Access Ladder.
5. Wind Orientation
(YAW) Control.
6. Nacelle.
7. Generator.
8. Anemometer.
9. Electrical / Mechanical
Brake.
10. Gearbox.
11. Rotor Blade.
12. Blade Pitch Control.
13. Rotor Hub.
Nacelle
Nacelles are highly flammable and are typically the
main “fuel load” within a turbine.
Constructed of polymers, and containing insulation
and a variety of cables and oils.
A single 1.5 MW wind turbine nacelle can contain up
to 900 liters of lubricating oil including cooling and
cleaning fluids.
The transformer, located at the base of the tower, can
easily contain an additional 2,200 liters of transformer
oil.
 Induction generators
Were often used for wind power projects in the 1980s and
1990s, require reactive power for excitation,
so substations used in wind-power collection systems include
substantial capacitor banks for power factor correction. 
Aren't used in current turbines. Instead, most turbines use
variable speed generators combined with partial- or full-scale
power converter between the turbine generator and the
collector system, which generally have more desirable
properties for grid interconnection and have Low voltage ride
through-capabilities.
Offshore wind farms
Refers to the construction of wind farms in large
bodies of water to generate electric power.
Risks / Hazards
Fire hazards in Wind Energy Plants

Fire may arise due to electrical fault during maintenance work.

Oil in gearbox of wind turbine could be a fire hazard.
Fire may arise due to electrical failure within the turbine nacelle.

 Wind turbines catch fire because highly flammable materials such as

hydraulic oil and plastics are in close proximity to machinery and electrical
wires.
 Overheating of surfaces such as bearings and brakes are other causes of
fires in wind farms.
 If the mechanical or electrical components within the turbine nacelle
overheat or develop a fault, they can ignite and start a fire.
Electrical causes of fire
Mostly related to up-tower transformers, control
cabinets, and power-converter systems.
They may result from arcing around cable
terminations and bus connections made during the
manufacturing process.
Others occur because of improper operations and
maintenance practices.
Mechanical causes of fire
Start by the main-shaft bearings and hydraulic brake
systems, and result from overheated brakes and bearings.
Overheating in the nacelle may result from a lack of
proper lubrication.
The nacelle region houses the three elements of the fire
triangle in the form of fuel (oil and polymers), oxygen
(wind), and ignition source (electrical, mechanical, and
lighting) all in a confined small compartment within close
proximity of each other.
Sources of Risk in a Wind Energy Project
Accidents Occurred in Wind Farms
Short circuits, overheated alternators or gearboxes’
oil could cause fire.
Lightning strike on tower resulting in fire
Overheating of generator may result in over-speeding of rotor blades by failure
which could end in disintegration.
Structural Tower Failure Stress and vibration might result in structural tower
failure as a result from blade fall.
Movement of machine chassis could cause misalignment of gearbox with the
generator shafts and leads to failure.
Fire protection systems:
Active fire protection systems
Comprise detection (flame, heat, gas and smoke), warning
of staff and rescue service, as well as the activation of
systems for fire control or extinguishing.
Passive fire protection measures
Including comprehensive lightning protection systems,
use of non-combustible hydraulic and lubricant oil,
installation of a radiant barrier to protect combustible
solids in the nacelle, and avoiding the use of combustible
insulating materials in the turbine nacelle where possible.