BWC XL.50 Wind Turbine prezzo non disponibile - richiedere offerta 

6/17/2000

Bergey WindPower is pleased to announce its latest new product, the BWC XL.50.  The XL.50 is an advanced-technology, high-performance 50 kW turbine that BWC is developing under the US-DOE Advanced Small Wind Turbine Program. By virtue of its leading edge technology, outstanding projected performance, and low cost, we believe that the XL.50 represents a real breakthrough in small wind turbine competitiveness.

With a standard rotor diameter of 14 meters (46 ft) and a peak output of ~ 70 kilowatts (kW) the XL.50 is best suited for multi-unit housing facilities, small business, commercial, and light industrial applications in the U.S. and Europe; and for rural electrification programs in developing countries.

The XL.50 combines a number of advanced technical features, including a completely new airfoil (patent pending), to provide the highest efficiency yet achieved in a small wind turbine at a cost of energy ~ 30% lower than the current price leader.  And, the XL.50 will carry the exclusive, industry-leading, Bergey 5-year warranty.  "The XL.50 will compete very nicely with small gas turbines and fuel cells, which will help bring small wind systems into the mainstream of the huge emerging market for clean distributed generation. With no emissions and no fuel costs, our turbines will have a natural advantage"  notes Mike Bergey, BWC's president and CEO.

New BWC XL.50 

50 kW wind turbine

The BWC XL.50 is rated at 50 kW at 11 m/s (25 mph).  It will be available for grid connection at 480 VAC, three-phase, 60 Hz or 380 VAC, three-phase, 50 Hz.  A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) option will be available for customers with grid reliability problems. For off-grid power applications, such as village electrification, the XL.50 will be available with an integral 70 kW stand-alone inverter. A wind-electric water pumping version is planned for late 2002.

As in all IGET wind turbines, the XL.50 is mechanically simple, has only three moving parts, and will require almost no maintenance.  It is a variable speed turbine with a direct-drive alternator (no gearbox), a tail for orientation with the wind direction, and passive AutoFurl storm protection. It is the simplest machine of its size ever built and promises to be far and away the most reliable.

The XL.50 is an up-wind, horizontal-axis, three-bladed turbine.  The blades are pultruded fiberglass, a process that provides double the strength of traditional hand-laid-up fiberglass processes for boats and wind turbine blades.  And the new BWC SH3032 airfoil makes the XL.50's blade the most efficient ever on a small wind turbine.  The predicted Cp (coefficient of performance) of over 50% results from careful optimization using the latest computational fluid dynamics models backed up by wind tunnel testing.  Other small wind turbines use airfoils developed for airplanes or large wind turbines.

The photo to the right shows the prototype Bergey XL.50 permanent magnet alternator undergoing tests at the BWC factory.  As in all Bergey systems,  XL.50's alternator has in inverted configuration such that the outside shell turns and the inside windings (stator) and central shaft are stationary.  The blades attach directly to the outside casing, greatly simplifying the mechanical design of the rotor hub.  The alternator utilizes state-of-the-art neodymium "super magnets" and has demonstrated an efficiency of over 93%.

Overspeed protection is provided by the proven BWC AutoFurl passive sideways furling system. The system is completely passive and automatic.  For maintenance purposes the XL.50 is provided with a manual furling and dynamic braking system.   

The XL.50 is also the first variable speed wind turbine to adapt an off-the-shelf AC variable speed drive package for power conversion to utility grade AC power.  Working with engineers from ABB, BWC has developed a 70 kW electrical subsystem that provides exceptional low wind speed performance, optimal rotor loading throughout the entire operational range, and an a conversion efficiency that peaks above 97%.  The ABB drive is capable of connecting to the power grid or operating autonomously, without the grid.  And in a major breakthrough for back-up power and off-grid applications, such as village electrification, a system for directly integrating a battery bank is under development.  

The BWC XL.50 has been specifically designed to perform well in low wind speed areas traditionally thought to be unsuitable for wind power.  It will be available in two rotor diameters optimized for different wind regimes. The XL.50 will have a 14 meter (46 ft) diameter rotor.  

Low wind speed performance is also greatly enhanced by ABB circuitry that optimally loads the wind turbine down to wind speeds as low as 2 m/s (4.5 mph).  Combined with the new blade system, this circuitry allows the XL.50 to produce useful power more than 6,500 hours a year at a typical site.  For reference, a typical solar system produces power 3,500 hours a year at a typical site.

Performance is further enhanced with tall towers, which take advantage of significantly higher wind speeds available more than 30 meters (100 ft) above the ground. Guyed Lattice towers will be available in heights from 28 meters (92 ft) to 82 meters (270 ft).  The standard tower height will be 52 meters (170 ft).  The towers and the XL.50 are designed for installation with a gin-pole system and without a crane, just as with most tall communications towers.  Other tower types will also be available.

The pre-prototype XL.50 will be erected at the BWC factory in early July, the production prototype will be erected at the US-DOE National Wind Technology Center in October, and commercial deliveries are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2002

While pricing has not been set, the XL.50 standard system (turbine, ABB power processor, and 52 meter (170 ft) tower) is expected to sell for ~ $70,000.  Installed costs are expected to be ~ $85 - 90,000.  Typical annual energy production will range from 80,000 - 175,000 kWh.  BWC is maintaining a list of people interested in the XL.50, and will begin accepting advance orders in late 2001.

XL.50 Specifications

Type:  3 Blade Upwind
Rotor Diameter:  14 m (46 ft)

Start-up Wind Speed:  2.5 m/s (5.6 mph)
Cut-in Wind Speed:  2 m/s (4.5 mph)
Rated Wind Speed:  11 m/s (24.6 mph)
Rated Power:  50 Kilowatts
Cut-Out Wind Speed:  None
Furling Wind Speed:  12 m/s (27 mph)
Max. Design Wind Speed:  70 m/s (157 mph)

Blade Pitch Control:  None, Fixed Pitch
Overspeed Protection:  AutoFurl
Gearbox:  None, Direct Drive
Temperature Range:  -40 to +60 Deg. C (-40 to +140 Deg. F)
Generator:  Permanent Magnet Alternator
Output Form: 480 VAC, 3-phase, 60 Hz or 380 VAC, 3-phase, 50 Hz