Essential Hydraulic Equipment Used on Wind Farms
Hydraulic technology is featured in several critical systems on wind farms, with many of them built into the wind turbines themselves, although hydraulic equipment is also used to maintain and repair wind power systems.
The following are some of the most essential pieces of hydraulic equipment used on modern wind farms:
- Hydraulic pitch control systems (hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic power units, hydraulic accumulators and hydraulic valves)
- Hydraulic yaw systems (hydraulic motors and cylinders, hydraulic hose assemblies and hydraulic valves)
- Hydraulic braking systems
In addition to the above, hydraulic filtration systems are needed to protect valuable hydraulic equipment, along with maintenance equipment that includes hydraulic torque wrenches, pressure testing tools and the hydraulic pumps needed to operate them.
How is Essential Hydraulic Equipment Used to Keep Wind Farms Productive?
Hydraulic equipment is essential for keeping wind farm operations productive and is incorporated into several critical turbine systems. Examples include:
- Hydraulic pitch control systems – These systems are responsible for adjusting the angle of the turbine blades. This is necessary for maximizing power output and shielding the turbine from dangerously high winds. Pitch control systems also work in tandem with braking systems to shut down the turbine during emergency situations. Hydraulic pitch control systems consist of several hydraulic components, including hydraulic power units, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic accumulators and hydraulic valve sets. The hydraulic power unit and accumulator ensure there is sufficient power for the pitch control system. The hydraulic cylinder provides the linear force needed to make pitch adjustments, and hydraulic valves direct fluid power to where it’s needed.
- Hydraulic yaw systems – These systems are responsible for maneuvering the entire nacelle into position, so the turbine is always facing the wind. This is necessary for maximizing power output and minimizing mechanical stresses on the turbine. Hydraulic yaw systems are similar to pitch systems in their composition. They combine hydraulic cylinders and valve sets to provide positioning power, and hydraulic brakes to keep the nacelle in place.
- Hydraulic braking systems – Every wind turbine also has several hydraulic braking systems in place for safety and durability reasons. The rotor brakes slow or stop rotational movement when necessary. The yaw brakes hold the nacelle’s position and prevent it from shifting on the turbine tower, and the pitch brakes lock the turbine’s pitch angle in place once adjusted.
- Hydraulic maintenance equipment – When hydraulic technicians provide maintenance inside the turbine nacelle, they’ll need specialized hydraulic equipment to handle fasteners. Hydraulic torque wrenches are an essential tool in this regard, responsible for loosening or torquing fasteners. This may be needed to disassemble turbine or blade components prior to an inspection or to replace high-wear components. Hydraulic nut splitters may be needed occasionally to cut away any fasteners that have degraded due to corrosion or impact damage. The nacelle enclosure typically protects fasteners from deteriorating, but hydraulic fluid leaks can accelerate corrosion.
How Can a Hydraulic Equipment Supplier Support Wind Farms?
Hydraulic equipment suppliers can provide wind farms with quality hydraulic power units, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic accumulators, hydraulic valve systems and hydraulic maintenance equipment, including torque wrenches and nut splitters. In addition to supplying reliable hydraulic equipment, a trusted supplier can also provide the following:
- Preventative maintenance – Preventative maintenance is the number one step that wind farms should take to maintain productivity. When executed on time and by an expert technician, preventative maintenance extends equipment lifespan and optimizes its performance. Preventative maintenance includes checking hydraulic fluid quality, opening up the equipment and inspecting for leaks, checking for overly worn components and troubleshooting any emerging issues. In this way, preventative maintenance can resolve minor problems before they develop into equipment downtime.
- Rapid equipment repairs – If a piece of hydraulic equipment does experience an extended mechanical failure, the clock is ticking to get it back online. Wind farms are held to Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that typically mandate a certain level of output, and missing the mark comes with additional charges. A hydraulic equipment technician can provide expert, expedited repairs for wind turbine systems, ensuring they can be returned to service as soon as possible.
Because maintenance is critical for preventing interruptions in wind farm operations, many energy companies keep their hydraulic supplier and technician on retainer. Keeping a hydraulic technician on retainer ensures on-time preventative maintenance and expedites repairs when there is downtime. As downtime mounts, so will imbalance charges and costs related to lost power generation.
Hydraulic Equipment that is Properly Maintained is Essential for Wind Farm Efficiency
Wind farms rely on a combination of hydraulic power units, hydraulic pumps, hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic valve systems and hydraulic maintenance equipment. This equipment is integrated into vital turbine components, including pitch/yaw controls, and hydraulic braking systems.
If you’re installing new wind turbines, maintaining existing turbines or installing nacelles, you’ll need a hydraulic equipment supplier to provide essential equipment and maintain it. And if your wind farm is held to a PPA, consider keeping a hydraulic technician on retainer to ensure your wind farms maintain sufficient output.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wind farms run on hydraulic pitch control systems, hydraulic yaw systems and hydraulic braking systems, most of which are built into the turbines themselves. Hydraulic filtration systems protect that equipment, and maintenance crews add hydraulic torque wrenches, pressure testing tools and the hydraulic pumps needed to operate them.
It adjusts the angle of the turbine blades, which maximizes power output and shields the turbine from dangerously high winds. Pitch control systems also work in tandem with braking systems to shut down the turbine during emergency situations.
A yaw system maneuvers the entire nacelle into position so the turbine always faces the wind. The two are similar in composition: yaw systems combine hydraulic cylinders and valve sets for positioning power, plus hydraulic brakes to hold the nacelle in place.
Technicians working inside the nacelle need specialized equipment to handle fasteners. Hydraulic torque wrenches loosen or torque those fasteners, which is required to disassemble turbine or blade components before an inspection or to replace high-wear components.
Many energy companies do. Keeping a hydraulic technician on retainer ensures on-time preventative maintenance and expedites repairs during downtime. That matters because wind farms are held to Power Purchase Agreements, and as downtime mounts so do imbalance charges and lost generation costs.