What we do in wind power

The Wind R&D program is organised into five technology platforms (TPs):

Wind resource and micro-siting 
Turbine and foundation technology 
System integration and grid connection 
Operation and maintenance 
Acceptance and environment

Wind resource and micro-siting

This includes providing reliable production estimates, mapping severe turbine placements in complex terrain, assessing noise emissions, and understanding special challenges associated with forest and/or cold climate. In terms of offshore wind resources, TP1 deals with methods for estimation of wake losses within a park and shadow effects between adjacent parks. Finally, the development of short-term wind forecasting methods for better power system management and determination of operation and maintenance service.

Turbine and foundation technology

Projects focusing on troubleshooting of drive train components, turbine foundations, park and turbine control systems.

Wind turbines of today seem to have a more or less common problem with the gearboxes. Especially on offshore installations maintenance costs are too high. One of the main focus points of this subarea is therefore the gearboxes and understanding of why so many problems occur.

System integration and grid connection

Focus on investigations to support Vattenfall’s choice of power technology solutions and Vattenfall’s own knowledge build-up. Other important R&D field is to find best possible methods for installation and diagnostics. The aim is to find or develop best possible and cost efficient solutions with increased life length and reliability/ availability and reduced losses. The solutions shall fulfill grid codes, electricity laws and different kind of local requirements.

Operation and maintenance

TP4 deals with questions related to operation and maintenance (O&M) in a broad sense and it is a very important issue. The reliability of the turbines is simply not good enough. This ends up in increased costs to maintenance. Service costs on especially offshore turbines are extremely high so a high potential for cost reduction is optimization on planning and part replacements. Going from corrective to predictive maintenance has a really high potential for cost reductions. Standardized ways to communicate with windturbines is also an area covered.

Acceptance and environment

 The overall objective is to contribute to successful project development and increased acceptance for wind power. The platform aims to support projects that increase knowledge on environmental aspects of wind energy, and facilitate information exchange within Vattenfall.