ABB’s power grids business has been chosen by MHI Vestas to supply transformers for the turbines for the 857MW Triton Knoll offshore wind farm, being built off the east coast of England.
The contract includes the supply of 90 of ABB’s WindSTAR power transformers, which are designed to fit inside each of the project’s MHI Vestas V164-9.5MW machines.
The devices have been developed to withstand strong vibrations, sudden movements and variable electrical loading, typical of wind power, said ABB. Triton Knoll is expected to be fully operational in 2022.
MHI Vestas will deliver 90 wind turbines for the wind farm and ABB’s WindSTAR transformers will be installed in each machine.
ABB Power Grids transformers managing director Bruno Melles said: “Our partnership with MHI Vestas is yet another important step towards a cleaner energy system that will significantly benefit local communities.
“ABB is committed to pioneering technologies that competitively and efficiently integrate renewable energy – enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”
MHI Vestas procurement head Robert Slettenhaar said: “As one of the leading global wind turbine manufacturers, the transformers we use in our offshore wind turbines are some of the most valuable and critical components that we purchase.
“Maintenance at sea is extremely challenging, so the transformers have to be as reliable as possible, as well as light-weight and compact. For Triton Knoll, we have selected ABB as a supplier and have worked together to develop the WindSTAR transformers to meet our demand for high quality and performance.”
ABB’s WindSTAR transformers support energy efficiency by increasing the voltage to 66 kilovolts, the highest voltage category for wind transformers. This higher voltage enables larger, more powerful wind turbines resulting in lower electricity losses and a more cost-effective wind farm.
ABB has recently won three more orders for similar WindSTAR transformers from MHI Vestas for other offshore wind projects, including Moray East, off Scotland and Windfloat Atlantic in Portugal.