Lee MurrayJan 4, 2023
Andrew Sinclair

A 15 MW wind turbine. Fifteen thousand kilowatts. That is just amazing. I can remember when turbine technology was pushing half that and thinking we'd be at the limits then but this is simply insane (Picture via Vestas). Gonna need a bigger crane on a boat to build these babies out in the sea 😀

https://www.vestas.com/en/media/company-news/2022/vestas--v236-15-0-mw-prototype-wind-turbine-produces-fi-c3691167

Vestas’ V236-15.0 MW prototype wind turbine produces first kWh

Jan 3, 2023 at 10:08pmWeb
Show threadAlbert CardonaJan 3, 2023
@Andrew_Sinclair Amazing achievement. What's the expected lifetime of these giant wind turbines? Here rooting for at least 20 years, hopefully more?
Show threadAlbert CardonaJan 3, 2023

@Andrew_Sinclair Found an answer: likely 20 to 25 years, and needing 2 to 3 preventive maintenance visits per year: https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/how-long-do-wind-turbines-last

Seems like a bargain compared to coal-burning plants. Also creates the adventurous job of the offshore wind turbine maintenance engineer, half spiderman, half pilot, half sailor, two halves engineer, and has too many halves.
#WindTurbine #WindFarm #WindPower

How Long do Wind Turbines Last? Can their Lifetime be Extended?

A good quality, modern wind turbine will generally last for 20 years, although this can be extended to 25 years or longer depending on environmental factors and the correct maintenance procedures being followed.

Show threadAndrew SinclairJan 3, 2023

@albertcardona Not much to a wind turbine to look after. Most have gearboxes, some such as by Enercon are direct drive so no gearbox (just a huge generator, hence the very large egg shaped nacelle compared with the more angular Vestas units). All have brakes to hold the rotor parked plus actuators to feather the blades. Really simple mechanics and conventional I&C and electrics.

Of course this is on top of a couple of hundred meter tall pole, in the sea, in hopefully very windy conditions 😀

Show threadAndrew SinclairJan 3, 2023
A modern gas turbine as used in gas fired power stations will need a significant overhaul every few years. Siemens use a measure called Equivalent Operating Hours (EOH), GE use something similar called Factored Fired Hours (FFH) but basically each running hour will = 1 EOH/FFH but for other activities such as starting from cold, starting from hot or frequency sensitive operation you accumulate EOH/FFH at a far greater rate.
Show threadAndrew SinclairJan 3, 2023
The power turbines of these gas turbines operate at high temperatures (above 1250 deg C - yes around the melting point of many metals) so the blades are manufactured using exotic materials and techniques - with an eye watering cost to go with the metallurgy - 25,000 EOH is a good run for a set of blades after which you shut down and throw any millions of €/$/£ of spares at it.
Show threadAndrew SinclairJan 3, 2023
I'd take the maintenance headache of a wind turbine over a gas turbine most of the time. Of course your gas turbines are not out at sea up a pole but to be fair, most wind turbines now have lifts or helipads these days.
Show threadAndrew SinclairJan 3, 2023
* When I say helipad, I of course mean a platform for the maintenance technician to be lowered onto from a helicopter. Your Spiderman analogy is therefore perfect!
Show threadElias ProbstJan 4, 2023
@albertcardona @Andrew_Sinclair that'd be my dream job, I just lack the required qualifications ☺️
Show threadAlbert CardonaJan 4, 2023
@eliasp @Andrew_Sinclair In life, motivation and showing up are a huge part of getting where you want. Why not deliver on your dream?
Show threadElias ProbstJan 4, 2023
@albertcardona @Andrew_Sinclair dead simple: I (or rather my family) can't afford not having an income for a few years while I acquire the required qualifications/certifications.
Show threadMaggie GordonJan 5, 2023
@albertcardona @Andrew_Sinclair regarding operating age for renewable technology, can I throw in the Hydro Dam at Earlston, Dumfries and Galloway, from last week. Accepting core infrastructure and generating plant will require different maintainable commitments. Note 2 folk at bottom right for scale:
Show threadSteven RooseJan 4, 2023
@Andrew_Sinclair @glynmoody It's basically a power station built on the tip of a long pole 😅
Show threadDegrowth or ExtinctionJan 4, 2023
@Andrew_Sinclair #greenCapitalism #windturbine dumpster are the life span of wind turbines improved? Are we making #decentralized wind turbines ? Or is it always multinationals trying to get the most profit, attacking nature, letting all those raw materials get slayed from our mother earth by the poorest of the #poorest? All in the name of progress of confort. #Defend the #indigenous, we are nature defending itself from capitalism the cancer of this #planet.
#wedonthavetime