GE Energy Unveils WindINERTIA, Designed To Enhance Grid Integration Capabilities Of Wind Turbines

Schenectady, NY - GE Energy introduced WindINERTIA, the latest in a series of continuing technology advancements to help move the wind industry forward. WindINERTIA joins the GE suite of grid integration products designed to give wind turbines the capability to meet transmission reliability standards similar to those demanded of thermal generators.

Grid integration of wind turbines is critical to the performance of a wind installation. GE's WindINERTIA feature allows wind turbines to provide an inertial response for large, short-duration frequency deviations through a control system upgrade, to enhance grid reliability and operation.

By utilizing the mechanical inertia of the turbine rotor, GE's WindINERTIA control enables an operating turbine to increase its power output by 5-10% of its rated turbine power, over a wide range of wind speeds. The duration of the power increase is several seconds and benefits the grid by allowing time for other non-wind power generation assets to increase power production during large under-frequency events.

GE's WindINERTIA control enables wind power plant operators to meet inertial response grid requirements without additional hardware, or adverse effects on turbine life, and without impacting annual energy production.

The WindINERTIA control is available for GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbine. The GE 1.5-megawatt machine is the world's most widely used wind turbine, with 12,000 now installed around the globe. The GE fleet of installed 1.5-megawatt wind turbines has exceeded 125 million operating hours. WindINERTIA will also be available for the 2.5-megawatt wind turbine in 2010. The 2.5xl represents GE Energy's most advanced wind turbine in terms of efficiency, reliability and grid connection capabilities, and is designed to yield the highest annual energy production in its class.

SOURCE: GE Energy