Booster Turbine Electrical Assembly for Substation-Free Wind Farms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Offshore wind farms face high costs and planning issues due to the need for separate foundations and installation vessels for substations, and there are limitations on the number of incoming feeders and space for cable routing around turbine foundations.

Innovation Solution

Integrate high voltage equipment onto the wind turbine foundation, using a booster turbine concept that connects multiple turbines directly to a common export cable, eliminating the need for a separate substation and optimizing cable routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate substation with bespoke foundation is used, then high voltage switching and grid connection equipment can be properly installed, but installation costs and vessel requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrid connection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the substation functionality with the wind turbine foundation by integrating high voltage switching equipment, transformer, and grid connection equipment directly onto the turbine foundation platform. This merging eliminates the need for a separate substation foundation and reduces installation costs while maintaining grid connection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind turbine foundation is designed to serve multiple functions: supporting the wind turbine generator and simultaneously hosting the substation equipment for high voltage switching and grid connection. This multi-functionality approach allows the same structure to perform both roles, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple wind turbines are connected to a separate substation, then power collection is efficient, but cable routing space and feeder capacity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower collection efficiencyVSAvoidcable routing space

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power collection system by enabling each wind turbine to have its own integrated switching equipment, allowing turbines to operate as independent units that can connect to the grid individually or in groups. This segmentation eliminates the bottleneck of centralized substation cable routing and allows flexible power collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by mounting high voltage equipment on the turbine foundation above sea level, rather than requiring extensive horizontal cable routing on the seabed. This dimensional change reduces the area required for cable management while maintaining efficient power collection from multiple turbines.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a booster turbine with external platform is used, then substation functionality is integrated, but weight is added to the main structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstation integrationVSAvoidfoundation load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the substation equipment with the wind turbine foundation structure, using the same foundation to support both the turbine and the high voltage equipment. This integration eliminates the need for separate support structures and minimizes additional weight compared to external platforms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wind turbine foundation serves itself by hosting the substation equipment, eliminating the need for external support structures. The foundation's existing structural capacity is utilized to support additional equipment, reducing the need for extra weight-bearing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces installation costs and vessel requirements, optimizes cable capacity, and simplifies the electrical infrastructure by distributing substation components across interconnected booster turbines, allowing for efficient power transmission without a separate substation.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer for transforming, from a primary side of a transformer, the collective power from the switchgear to a second higher voltage level of the export cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12529356B2Wind turbine and wind farm

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 SIEMENS GAMESA RENEWABLE ENERGY AS

AI summary

A wind turbine is provided including: a power production component including at least a generator; an electric assembly and at least one first further wind turbine to an electric export cable, which is connectable or connected to a power grid, such that the electric assembly configures the wind turbine as a booster turbine, wherein the electric assembly comprises: a switchgear operated on a first lower voltage level; a transformer for transforming, from a primary side of the transformer, and a second higher voltage level input and/or output interface, located at the secondary side of the transformer and operating on the second higher voltage level, for providing an interconnection link to a second further wind turbine that is configured as a booster turbine and is arranged to receive and/or provide power via the interconnection link on the second higher voltage level.