PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY EVALUATION OF GEARBOXES OF WIND TURBINES

Abstract

Many factors affect the power losses and efficiency of the wind turbine gearboxes. Some of these factors are relating to the type of gears, bearing’s type and seals used in the gearboxes. Others are relating to the type of oil and its amount in the gearboxes. The purpose is to study the main sources of power losses in the gearboxes of wind turbines. Throughout this study, the efficiency and performance of the gearboxes can be estimated. Mathematical equations have been formulated for estimation of these power losses followed by a calculation of the gearbox efficiency. A computer program has been built up to help the designer of the power generation turbines to get easily the efficiency of gearbox due to the effect and influence of these factors. Therefore by using this computer program, the best design of wind turbine gearboxes can be achieved to obtain high performance of the wind turbines.