Detecting and eliminating bearing currents for longer lifespan of mainshaft bearings
Research Project, 2018
– 2023
The main purpose of the project is to extend the lifespan of wind turbines by detecting and eliminate the impact of the bearing currents. The aim of the project is to understand the appearance of bearing currents in wind turbines and thus the approaches to eliminate them. This means that the life span of the bearings and in many cases also the life of the entire wind power plant can be extended. The work will be concentrated on the power plant's bearings on the main shaft. The project is carried out in cooperation with 3 wind power owners/operators and 1 bearing manufacturer in Sweden. The project begins with a basic study of how bearing currents can occur and its modeling as well as laboratory tests. In addition, measurements are made on-site wind turbines with suspected bearing current problems. The impact of dynamic mechanical stress on bearing currents will be investigated. Finally, methods to eliminate the bearing currents will be reported and presented publicly.
Participants
Ola Carlson (contact)
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Electric Power Engineering
Xiangdong Xu
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Electric Power Engineering
Collaborations
Göteborg Energi AB
Göteborg, Sweden
Rabbalshede Kraft
Rabbalshede, Sweden
SKF
Göteborg, Sweden
Skellefteå Kraft
Skellefteå, Sweden
Funding
Swedish Energy Agency
Project ID: 2017-008071/44949-1
Funding Chalmers participation during 2018–2021
Related Areas of Advance and Infrastructure
Sustainable development
Driving Forces
Energy
Areas of Advance