The CSA Group, a Canadian-based nonprofit standards organization, has published a new standard for wind turbine electrical systems.
The standard, CSA C22.2 No. 272 – Wind Turbine Electrical System, is the first to cover all major electrical components for large and small wind turbines, and it is the first standard that provides requirements for the certification of wind turbine electrical systems all under one cover, notes CSA Group.
The standard was developed by a technical subcommittee with input from a diverse group of wind industry stakeholders including regulators, developers, original equipment manufacturers, certification bodies, industry associations, utilities consultants and academics.
The CSA Wind Turbines Technical Committee is harmonized with the Standards Council of Canada mirror committee to IEC TC88, which has the mandate to develop international standards for wind turbines that convert wind energy into electrical energy.
A number of wind energy stakeholders identified the need for a Part II electrical standard that could provide consistent and enforceable regulatory requirements and to manage costs related to the approval of turbines.
Development of this standard was initiated by the need to replace CAN/CSA-F416-87 – Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) – Safety, Design, and Operation Criteria, which did not reflect technological advances in the industry and so has been withdrawn. The new standard also attempts to align electrical requirements with IEC 61400-1, Wind turbines – Part 1: Design Requirements, and to retain adherence to the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
According to CSA Group, the standard covers all sizes of wind turbines and applies to complete wind turbine electrical systems and associated electrical equipment intended for connection at not more than 46 kV and for use in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I.
