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

Publications

More information

Latest update

3/13/2024