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ABB delivers converters for Haliade-X

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 26/03/2020 ABB

ABB has delivered its medium voltage PCS6000 converters to support GE Renewable Energy's GE Haliade-X turbine, installed at a test site in the Port of Rotterdam. The turbine has, a nominal output of 12 MW, and is currently the most powerful turbine in the world.


ABB stated that the medium voltage operation offers advantages at higher turbine power levels. The higher voltage means lower currents in the electrical drivetrain, which in turn enables the use of smaller cables along with a smaller converter footprint and less weight. In addition, ABB claims that its medium voltage converters boost overall turbine efficiency with the use of IGCT (integrated gate-commutated thyristor) semiconductor technology.


The control algorithm in the PCS6000 applies the adaptable maximum torque per ampere strategy, which supports the best generator operation, according to ABB. It aims to optimise the generator’s operation point according to the wind speed while minimising losses in the generator windings.

“Being part of this huge new offshore turbine development is a significant milestone for us, and we are very excited at the opportunities this project will open up,”
says Chris Poynter, Managing Director of ABB System Drives. “Turbines approaching 15 MW are around the corner and data obtained from the converter and turbine type tests is supporting our R&D to achieve even higher power. Our advanced converter technology can be scaled up to powers as high as 18 MW and we are working closely with stakeholders in the wind industry to keep our development work aligned with their increasing power requirements for future offshore turbines.”


ABB stated that the converter’s low part count and features like the fuseless design deliver high availability and - combined with the low footprint and low weight - enables easy installation in either the nacelle or the tower base.


ABB has installed more than 200 PCS6000 units in offshore installations across the North Sea, Baltic Sea and off the coasts of China and Taiwan. In addition, ABB has supplied over 15,000 low voltage converters to the wind industry.


For more information on offshore turbines and wind farms worldwide, click here.

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