01/23/2005
USA - New wind energy technology verification testing successful
McKenzie Bay International Ltd has been advised by its wholly owned subsidiary, DERMOND Inc., that the first level of technology verification for its new, improved, vertical axis wind turbine designed for WindStor(SM) installations has been successfully completed. Core operating features, including coordinating interface and control functions, have been thoroughly tested to satisfaction. Technology verification testing began immediately after completion of the installation and commissioning of the WindStor(SM) wind turbine on October 29, 2004 (PR-October 29, 2004) at the Universite du Quebec en Abitibi- Temiscamingue in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada. Since that date, the WindStor(SM) wind turbine has successfully:
- performed as designed at all rotational speeds, including its 54 RPM
maximum
- demonstrated that audible noise at the base of the turbine tower is
nearly absent at all rotational speeds
- demonstrated that turbine construction, control systems and sensor effectiveness have the ability to smoothly navigate resonance frequencies without affecting power production and safety
- operated through all weather conditions, including snow and ice, and
in temperatures as low as minus forty degrees (-40C/F), confirming design specifications to generate power in extremely adverse weather conditions
- demonstrated that electronic load-torque control systems and mechanical braking have functioned as designed
- demonstrated full redundancy of mechanical to electrical emergency braking and vice versa
- demonstrated that a light weight guy-wired wind turbine tower is an efficient solution to control the natural vibration frequencies of the wind turbine structure over the range of power producing rotational speeds and, as such, simulating the support structure of a rooftop mounted wind turbine.
Testing of the 100kW WindStor(SM) wind turbine prototype is transitioning to the autonomous operation and performance phase with the Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue. This long term testing phase will continue indefinitely gathering power measurement data serving as a basis for development of technology and performance improvements in operational functionality and economics. WindStor Power Co., a wholly owned McKenzie Bay subsidiary, intends to begin to contract manufacture and install WindStor(SM) after negotiating Power Sales Agreements (PSA) with customers. PSAs will have defined pricing terms and be subject to: adequate wind power at installation sites to provide economically sufficient electricity production, satisfaction of all regulatory issues such as zoning, permitting and obtaining approvals for site plans, and McKenzie Bay securing financing to fund installations and WindStor(SM) development.
- performed as designed at all rotational speeds, including its 54 RPM
maximum
- demonstrated that audible noise at the base of the turbine tower is
nearly absent at all rotational speeds
- demonstrated that turbine construction, control systems and sensor effectiveness have the ability to smoothly navigate resonance frequencies without affecting power production and safety
- operated through all weather conditions, including snow and ice, and
in temperatures as low as minus forty degrees (-40C/F), confirming design specifications to generate power in extremely adverse weather conditions
- demonstrated that electronic load-torque control systems and mechanical braking have functioned as designed
- demonstrated full redundancy of mechanical to electrical emergency braking and vice versa
- demonstrated that a light weight guy-wired wind turbine tower is an efficient solution to control the natural vibration frequencies of the wind turbine structure over the range of power producing rotational speeds and, as such, simulating the support structure of a rooftop mounted wind turbine.
Testing of the 100kW WindStor(SM) wind turbine prototype is transitioning to the autonomous operation and performance phase with the Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue. This long term testing phase will continue indefinitely gathering power measurement data serving as a basis for development of technology and performance improvements in operational functionality and economics. WindStor Power Co., a wholly owned McKenzie Bay subsidiary, intends to begin to contract manufacture and install WindStor(SM) after negotiating Power Sales Agreements (PSA) with customers. PSAs will have defined pricing terms and be subject to: adequate wind power at installation sites to provide economically sufficient electricity production, satisfaction of all regulatory issues such as zoning, permitting and obtaining approvals for site plans, and McKenzie Bay securing financing to fund installations and WindStor(SM) development.
- Source:
- Online editorial www.windfair.net
- Author:
- Trevor Sievert, Online Editorial Journalist
- Email:
- press@windfair.net
- Keywords:
- USA, WindStor(SM), wind energy, wind turbine, wind farm, onshore, offshore