Requirement

Our customer required a new control system to replace an obsolete system in a Wind Turbine design with an installed base of over 1000 systems. The system had to ensure safe operation of the turbine and provide new features such as remote access and data logging.

Development

Our team developed a replacement control system using an Omron PLC. The control system monitored the wind speed, wind direction and speed of blade rotation and used a PID loop to adjust the pitch of the turbine blades to keep the speed of rotation at optimal levels for electricity generation. Remote access was provided over GPRS enabling monitoring of the turbines and remote updates for new control versions.

Results

Our customer has been able to retrofit the control system into the installed wind turbines and is now rolling out the system across their Scottish network of wind farms.