TECHNOLOGY

The project was started in 2006 and enables ChapDrive to test a 225 kW wind turbine equipped with a prototype ChapDrive hydraulic transmission and ChapDrive variable speed control.

The project was based on results achieved in test bench verification of the ChapDrive 50 kW and 300 kW prototype transmissions and is the first test of the technology in a commercial size wind turbine.

The test turbine is a V27 – 225 kW turbine that has been equipped with the ChapDrive hydraulic transmission from the 300 kW test bench verification programme. The turbine was rebuilt and erected in 2007 and modified in the first quarter of 2008. Field test with the turbine started in the second quarter of 2008 with verification of functionality and power curve. Based on the results from the first test programme the turbine has been upgraded several times and today operates with the newest hydraulic transmission technology, synchronous generator and ChapDrive control system.
The project was partly funded by StatoilHydro, Statkraft and Shell and awarded a NOK 2.25 million (EUR 0.25 million) grant from the Norwegian Research Council through the RENERGI program.