Atlas Copco has supplied a QES 60 power generator for the successful installation of the world’s first 16MWoffshore wind turbine in south-east China’s Fujian Province.
They company’s partner in the region, Chengdu Shiwei Technology Corporation, delivered the hardware to provide the critical power supply needed for the spreader to install the three large turbine blades.
The 16MW unit is 152 metres high and includes the world’s longest turbine blades at 123 metres, with each blade weighing 54 tonnes. The total swept area of the machine is approximately 50,000 quare metres, which is equivalent to the area of seven standard-sized football fields.
The installation was facilitated by the self-lifting and self-propelled integrated wind power installation platform Baihetan, with a lifting capacity of 2000 tonnes. However, the installation of such a large turbine was no easy feat, and the machine’s vast size caused significant challenges.
“The humidity and salty sea air could easily corrode the machines, so the equipment needed to be able to withstand these conditions,” said product specialist power & light at Atlas Copco in Shanghai Winston Wang,
“Additionally, the blades were docked at a height of 100 metres, and working at such a high altitude required equipment with a remote-control function. Finally, in this application, downtime would represent a huge loss, and the stability and durability of the generators were essential.”
Chengdu Shiwei Technology Corporation recommended Atlas Copco’s QES 60 power generator as they knew it would be able to operate reliably in these challenging conditions.
The QES 60 power generator was also modified slightly to meet the customer’s specific needs.
“This QES generator set was specially designed with a large capacity tank so that it could work continuously for more than 24 hours without fail, therefore providing the reliability and stability needed,” said Wang. “Additionally, the waterproof canopy underwent a C5M coating and painting process to provide higher corrosion resistance compared to conventional models. The generator was also equipped with an anti-condensation heater to improve the anticorrosion and moisture resistance of the electrical core components.”