Vestas has launched new technology upgrades designed to help boost the performance of its customers' installed wind turbines. According to the company, Vestas PowerPlus features a range of product offerings to increase the power output on existing wind power plants by up to 5%.
‘The Vestas PowerPlus technology solutions are part of Vestas' overall strategy of growing our service business and to respond to a strong customer demand to increase power output while maintaining high reliability,’ explains Chief Technology Officer Anders Vedel.
The company says it has already sold and implemented upgrades on more than 500 wind turbines. "So far, Vestas PowerPlus has been very well received by customers – particularly in North America, where we expect the fastest impact on sales," adds Vedel.
Vestas PowerPlus consists of three product offerings: Power Uprate (V82-1.65 MW, V90-1.8 MW and V100-1.8 MW); Extended Cut Out (V90-3.0 MW, V100-1.8/2.0 MW); and Aerodynamic Upgrades (V82-1.65 MW).
Power Uprate is a modification to the turbine control parameters that allows the wind turbines to increase their maximum power output from 1.8 MW up to 2.0 MW (or from 1.65 MW up to 1.8 MW in the V82). Vestas says the result is an increased annual energy production (AEP) of 1-4%.
Extended Cut Out is a modification of the turbine control parameters that allows turbines to capture more wind at higher speeds by extending the maximum wind speed limit from 25 m/s up to 30 m/s. Vestas says the result is an increase in AEP generally 0.5-2.0%.
The Aerodynamic Upgrades are Vortex Generators, which Vestas says are a cost-effective solution using small fins that optimize air flow over the blades to improve the aerodynamics and increase AEP of a wind power plant (generally up to 0.8%).
