In the next 10 years the proportion of the power supply originating from wind energy is expected to increase rapidly, which will place extraordinary demands on system engineering. The system, the wind park, and the grid into which the systems feed, are seen as complex systems today. This is exactly the point at which the competencies of the Harting Technology Group play a role as powerful and reliable connection technology is needed to ensure long-term operation of the overall system.
Harting products and concepts are used at different levels in wind technology: in control and signalling, for data transmission and communication as well as in the power transmission. Harting, in close cooperation with customers and their individual applications and specifications, has also developed a number of products and concepts that further improve system performance.
The operating conditions for wind turbines require a resilient enclosure for the connection, which must furthermore be field-installable and suitable for quick and uncomplicated replacement during servicing.
Quick-Lock rapid termination technology which has been integrated into many connectors offers one solution. Climate extremes, strong temperature fluctuations, wet conditions, heat, dust, vibrations and impact loads are the standard in wind energy.
The Harting Technology Group provides numerous housing solutions that have been developed for the requirements of the wind power industry, including the new Han-Eco product series manufactured from high-performance plastic.
Powerful control systems resilient Ethernet switches
Customer benefits are further increased by properties such as modular configuration, module tests in the test field and insertion coding options, power and signal contacts can furthermore be integrated depending on the customer requirements. Modularity is the basic principle in the Han-Modular series. The requirements with regard to the control and monitoring of wind turbines have become much tougher: It is necessary to process, store and send data and signals of different origin and quality. Wind turbines record numerous data series regarding the operating conditions for precise information on status and performance.
Information such as wind speed and generated power are recorded, as are data on component states and system functional capability. Condition monitoring systems record system state and facilitate the planning of maintenance and repair work or of spare part deliveries.
Network components must therefore be very resilient and dependable. Harting Ethernet switches are tailored to this requirement, particularly thanks to their high level of performance and reliability.
Wind park topologies today are designed as powerful communication and data networks, generally as a ring so that they can always be expanded. Due to the dimensions and distances, a part of the Ethernet port is designed for fibre optic cables that can bridge distances of more than 100 metres. The Harting Ethernet switches allows efficient management of ring topologies.
Conductors made of light for high towers
In the course of the development of the system technology, hub heights of 140 m and more have been attained. This means that copper cables can no longer be used as transmission lines between the gondola and tower base.
Instead, fibre optic cables are used, but copper cables must still be used for coupling the gondola to the switch cabinets at the tower base. Harting has been developing and delivering the widest range of glass fibre cable solutions for wind energy for years. It is consequently possible to integrate a number of fibres in one connector and to combine them with other signal or power cables. The coupling of glass fibres and copper lines is handled by fibre optic transceivers whose interfaces are usually permanently welded together. The variances on the part of the fibre optic transceivers and the influence of the operating environment generally lead to the use of complex special connectors. The Harting Technology Group uses a different solution: by using the Harting PushPull boxes, it is possible to use standard industrial and office connectors such as RJ45 that, when not enclosed, are not suitable for use in harsh environments.
Safety awareness – also for the system periphery
Harting has also spurred progress in enhancing technologies in the system periphery. For example, concepts for the use of LEDs for the tower lighting were developed that feature long service life and a high level of reliability, which consequently correspond to the increased safety requirements in the wind industry. The slip-ring rotor coupling has also been aligned to the specific conditions found in the wind industry. It is robust, and can be replaced without interfering in the pitch system or removing lines. The connector technology makes it possible to guarantee the mating reliability and contact stability and the product features a plug and play design.
For more information contact Errol Mann, Harting South Africa, +27 (0)11 575 0017, errol.mann@harting.com, www.harting.co.za
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