Control System increases wind turbine output.
Press Release Summary:
WindBOOST(TM) control system upgrade is designed to increase output of 60 Hz 1.5sle wind turbines. It enables turbine blades to spin faster and can increase turbine output, by 100 kW, to 1.6 MW. By generating more power from same unit - up to 4% increased annually, turbine operators can increase profitability. Upgrade also offers control technology for optimum rotational speed as well as remote capability to turn control system on/off at turbine level.
Original Press Release:
New GE Technology Boosts Wind Turbine Output, Increasing Revenue for Wind Farm Operators
WindBOOST(TM) Control System upgrade can increase 1.5 MW output by 100 kW, to 1.6 MW
CHICAGO, ILL.-May 5, 2009-GE Energy today introduced the WindBOOST(TM) control system upgrade, designed to increase the output of its 1.5sle wind turbine-one of the most widely used machines in the global wind industry-resulting in greater revenues for wind farm operators.
The WindBOOST(TM) control system upgrade enables the turbine blades to spin faster and can increase the turbine output by 100 kilowatts, from 1.5 to 1.6 megawatts. By generating more power from the same unit, turbine operators can increase their profitability. Depending on the wind and other site conditions, the new feature has the potential to increase annual revenues up to $15,000 per unit.
"The development of the WindBOOST control system upgrade illustrates GE's commitment to the 1.5-MW product line, as we continue to offer new solutions to meet our customers' needs," said Sean Fitzgerald, 1.5 MW product line leader. "While recent upgrades for the 1.5-MW wind turbine have provided increased availability, the WindBOOST control system is focused on greater power output."
In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of WindBOOST, GE has worked closely with Chicago-based Invenergy, a leading renewable energy company presently operating more than 900 GE 1.5sle wind turbines. GE and Invenergy have been jointly evaluating the results of 20 beta test units installed at one of Invenergy's wind farms in Texas.
"We are very pleased by the WindBOOST technology and its ability to increase output and generate additional revenue from our existing sites," said Pat West, senior vice president of operations for Invenergy. "This is exactly the type of technology we look to GE to provide and we are presently in discussions with GE to deploy WindBOOST across the Invenergy U.S. fleet."
GE Energy is the largest U.S. supplier of wind turbines and the 1.5-MW machine is the workhorse of the company's fleet, with more than 12,000 installed worldwide.
The WindBOOST control system is the latest in a series of continuing GE technology advancements to help move the wind industry forward. It is currently designed for both new and existing 60-hertz GE 1.5sle wind turbines with plans to apply the technology to additional 1.5 MW models.
Key features of the WindBOOST control system upgrade include:
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.
For more information contact:
Milissa Rocker
GE Energy
t: +1 518 385 2381
e: milissa.rocker@ge.com
Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
t: +1 518 786 6488
e: kenneth.darling@ge.com
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
t: + 1 518 786 6488
e: howard.masto@ge.com
