Ultracapacitors set for wind turbine duties

Enercon has placed a 1.5 million-unit purchase order for ultracapacitors for wind turbine blade pitch systems.

Enercon, one of the world's leading producers of wind energy systems, has designated Maxwell as a preferred supplier, and has placed a 1.5 million-unit purchase order for ultracapacitors for wind turbine blade pitch systems.

Alain Riedo, Vice President and General Manager of Maxwell's Swiss subsidiary, Maxwell Technologies, said that Enercon currently uses Boostcap ultracapacitors for backup energy storage and power delivery in wind turbines models ranging in output from 300kW to 6MW.

"In addition to being one of the world's largest wind turbine producers, Enercon is recognised as a leading innovator in the design and manufacture of megawatt class turbines", Riedo said.

"To optimise energy output and enhance system reliability and longevity, each of Enercon's turbines' three blades has an independent braking and pitch adjustment mechanism with backup power to ensure continuous operation in the event of a power failure".

"Each turbine incorporates from 200 to 700 Boostcap ultracapacitors for backup power".

Ulrich Neundlinger, Enercon's Managing Director of switching units, said that the company is expanding its use of ultracapacitors for blade pitch system backup power after initial deployments confirmed their significant advantages over traditional battery solutions.

"Ultracapacitors enabled us to overcome a number of battery-related design challenges, including poor low temperature performance and limited operational life", Neundlinger said.

"Maxwell's products emerged as the clear choice for this application on the basis of their robust construction, long operating life and cost-effectiveness".

"Wind turbine operators need low-maintenance systems that operate reliably for many years, and Boostcap products have proven that they can help us to continue to meet our customers' expectations".

Industry sources place the current annual value of the global wind energy market at more than $9 billion, and reported that more than 8000MW of new wind generator capacity was installed in 2004, bringing the total worldwide installed base to approximately 48GW.

From 2000 to 2004, the industry maintained an annual growth rate of nearly 16%, and it is projected to continue to meet or exceed that rate through 2009.

Riedo noted that new offshore installations are expected to account for an increasing share of new capacity, and said that ultracapacitors' high reliability and long operating lifetime make them particularly attractive for offshore and other remote locations that are costly and difficult to service.

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