Wind Turbine Tower Metal Structure as Electrical Conductor
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wind turbines, the long cable lengths required to transmit electrical energy from the generator at the nacelle to the base of the tower structure pose challenges due to high voltage differences and require large cable cross-sections, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of the metal structure of the tower as a conductive path for electrical energy transmission, with the transformer located at the base, allowing current to be routed through the tower's metal structure and reducing the need for multiple cables by grounding the metal structure to a safe reference potential, thereby ensuring galvanic isolation and efficient energy transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are used to transmit electrical energy from the generator to the base of the wind turbine, then electrical connection is established, but cable length and cross-section increase leading to higher costs and energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The metal structure of the tower serves its own function by conducting electrical energy in addition to its structural support function. The tower's metal components act as conductors, eliminating the need for separate cable infrastructure for power transmission, thereby reducing energy losses and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal structure of the tower performs multiple functions: structural support and electrical conduction. By making the tower structure electrically conductive, it becomes a dual-purpose component that transmits both mechanical loads and electrical energy from the generator to the base of the wind turbine.
2Reliability
If cables are used to transmit electrical energy from the generator to the base of the wind turbine, then electrical connection is established, but cable length increases leading to higher installation costs and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The tower structure serves its own purpose by providing electrical conduction pathways through its metal components. This eliminates the need for separate cable routing and installation, significantly simplifying the electrical connection infrastructure from the generator to the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural and electrical functions are merged into a single integrated system. The metal tower structure simultaneously provides mechanical support and electrical conduction, combining what would traditionally require separate cable installations into one unified infrastructure.
3Power
If full power cable design is used for the connection from generator to base, then appropriate current carrying capacity is achieved, but cable cross-section increases leading to higher material costs
Solution Approach 1:
The metal tower structure provides the conduction pathway, eliminating the need for additional cable material. The tower's inherent electrical conductivity is utilized to carry the full power current, replacing what would require substantial cable cross-sections with the existing structural metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal structure serves dual purposes: structural support and electrical conduction for full power transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate full-power cables, reducing material quantity while maintaining appropriate current carrying capacity.
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
This approach significantly reduces the number and size of cables needed, lowers energy losses, and simplifies the construction and maintenance of wind turbines by leveraging the tower's metal structure for conductivity while ensuring safety through grounding.
Implementation Method 1
the energy transmission device comprises a metal structure of the tower structure as a first conductor, wherein the metal structure is formed at least in sections as an electrically conductive connection from the nacelle to the base of the wind turbine
Implementation Method 2
the transformer connects the energy transmission device and the grid connection point to one another in an electrically conductive and galvanically isolated manner
Implementation Method 3
The metal structure is electrically connected to a predetermined reference potential, in particular to ground potential
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a wind turbine (1) having a generator (2), a transformer (3), an energy transmission device (4) for transmitting electric energy generated by the generator (2), a grid connection point (5), and a tower assembly (6), wherein the energy transmission device (4) extends from the nacelle (11) to the base (12) of the wind turbine (1) and electrically connects a generator (2) to the grid connection point (5) via the transformer (3). In order to improve the wind turbine, the energy transmission device (4) according to the invention comprises a metal structure (7) of the tower assembly (6) as a first conductor, wherein the metal structure (7) is at least partly designed as an electrically conductive connection between the nacelle (11) and the base (12) of the wind turbine (1). The transformer (3) is arranged on the base (12) of the wind turbine (1) and connects the energy transmission device (4) and the grid connection point (5) together in an electrically conductive and galvanically isolated manner, said metal structure (7) being connected to a specified reference potential, in particular the ground potential, in an electrically conductive manner. The invention additionally relates to a method for operating such a wind turbine (1), in which a current is conducted partially and/or at least along some sections by the metal structure (7) of the tower assembly (6) in order to transmit electric energy generated by the generator (2) from the nacelle (11) to the base (12) of the wind turbine (1).