Dutch engineering and technology companies Innas and Hydrautrans are developing hydraulic transmission systems for offshore wind turbines with a targeted capacity of over 12MW.
The ‘floating cup technology’, which has been patented by Innas, uses hydraulic pumps and motors that operate without internal metal-to-metal contact, the companies said.
“This results in an elongated service life of more than 25 years and an efficiency of more than 95%,” they added.
The 12MW transmission consists of four independent 3MW modules and lightweight components that lead to a 10%–25% head mass reduction.
The technology can also be used on turbines with lower capacities between 6MW and 9MW, Innas and Hydrautrans said.
The companies expect the new technology will be market ready by 2020 and could lead to a €6 a megawatt-hour reduction in the levelised cost of energy.
Image: reNEWS
Dutch kit targets 12MW giants
New turbine hydraulic transmission system could reduce LCoE by €6/MWh
By EBS