History 2
Milestones of wind energy utilization 2
1957
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The master plant of all wind utilizing machines, the StGW-34-unit, according to
Ulrich Hütter.
1958
Ulrich Hütter took up the old Honnef idea to go offshore with his small 10 kW,
3-bladed, high sophisticated wind energy converter, the Allgaier WE 10.
As you can see above, Honnef proposed as first (1929/1930), the"offshore"-technic for
windenergy converters.
Hütters plant was installed at an small oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico by the former
US company 'Automatic Power Inc.", Houston.
In this times the wind has beaten the diesel engine for electricity supply.
1980
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The Voith-Hütter-plant, WEC-52
shows the absolute and ultimate
"Optimierungswut" (mania of optimization) of Professor Dr. Ulrich Hütter.
A high tip speed ratio of the rotor delivers a high powercoefficient but
extremly slender rotorblades. Such blades look like whip ropes when turning,
resulting constructive problems with the tiny airfoil crossections.
There exists nearly no material which is strong enough to withstand the complex
dynamic forces. Only fiber reinforced plastic material with carbon fibers can
build up the bending beam, i.e. the rotorblade, strong enough.
This system additionally has had a special energy transformation chain:
rotor shaft, miterwheel gearing on the top with a gear ratio of 1:3, intower- vertical shaft to the bottom of the tower, vertical built-in planetary gearing, vertical positioned generator. Entry through a hatch-door flush with the ground
(have a look to the picture). Rated output 300 kW, diameter 52 meter.
1980
1980 the year of birth of a huge machine, once the largest windenergy converter
of the world, called GROWIAN.
This pilot plant started with experiments in 1983. Erection site was the
"Kaiser-Wilhelm-Koog" a very windy and flat North Sea coast region,
nearby the city of Marne. The machine was dismantled scheduled in 1987, because
of finishing the expertiments.
GROWIAN
1990
Some problems with GROWIAN lead to a plant a little bit smaller, the so called
GROWIAN II or WKA-60. Diameter 60 m, output 1,2 MW.
M.A.N. was manufacturer. One plant was erected at the german island
Helgoland in the North-Sea.
Only 4 plants were build because of some difficulties, also heavy lightning problems (carbon fiber rotorblades). The insurance was not able (or willing) to pay the third failure.
1995
Today there exist some earnest attempts to realize the break-through of
windenergyin all german states.
Also in the state of Baden-Württemberg
some private users and organisations have erected a small number of
windenergy converters. In the same time some projects hold out in a planning status.
1996
Modern windfarm in the USA
In Europe such pictures will not become reality because our areas are a little bit
restricted by covering with buildings, woods, cultivated areas, natural parks etc.
Nevertheless,a logical development, i.e. "Ausbau" with windenergy converters
should take place within the next decade.
Such an image is common since the last eight decades.
Where is the problem?
1997
Black rotorblades
To place plants in cold and icy regions there exist a new rotorblade philosophy.
Make the rotorblade colour black, and you have no icing problems. The refection
of the solar insolation is not so strong as in the case of white rotorblades
and therefore, a dark rotorblade stays longer warmer than a white one.
1998
ENERCON E66
Since the last april a new big converter is on the market, the Enercon E66.
With 1,5 MW output and a diameter of 66 meter this plant is the first member
of a new megawatt-family.
The also gearless machine, similar to the ENERCON E40, has a multipolar
generator with a large diameter (nearly seven meters).
Outlook-cabin for PR purposes
The 12th of september 1998, the biggest windfarm in europe was inaugurated,
with windmachines in the megawatt-range.
In the 'Samtgemeinde Holtriem', 8 km northern of Aurich, Ostfriesland, there
can be seen now
35 ENERCON-66/1,5 MW-windrotors.
One of the machine has an outlook-cabin, 65 m above ground, near the hub of the
rotor. A group of 12 persons (maximum) can enjoy the wonderful landscape,
the whirling rotorblades outside, nearby the window pane and the shaking tubular
steel tower at rated power. But before, people have to overcome 300 steps of
the winding-stairs. It is an amazing experience.
With 52,5 MW installed capacity this windfarm is really the largest in europe
today.
Further informationens: The Norderland-Gruppe, Günter und Johann
Eisenhauer, Heinz Böttcher, Gartenstraße 2a, 26 556 Westerholt,
Tel.: +49 (0)4975/912040.
If You want some information about the DARRIEUS-ROTOR, please click
here
The research at the Institut für Flugzeugbau in the field of windenergy
is in the moment only confined to experts's reports. Members of our institute
act as consulting engineers for privat people and all kind of organisations
who want to erect plants on private grounds or cummunity areas.
Especially we make investigations and statements to sites in the southern
part of Germany, i.e. especially to the state of Baden-Württemberg.
(look also Baden-Württemberg).
doerner@ifb.uni-stuttgart.de
Since 24th mars 1997, updated continuously
