Vestas* V27 retrofit in Italy

Retrofitting older Vestas* V27 and V29 turbines for Italian developer and ISP

Wind Turbine retrofit is one of the interesting topics in the wind turbine industry for operation and maintenance for the reasons that turbine warranties are near expiration or already expired and also because utilities update grid codes on local markets. On the European market, smaller wind turbines are typical! Especially, in Italy and the UK according to the stated market tariffs for Small Wind. The Vestas* V27 and V29 are older high-performance turbines in the small wind class and complies with the market tariffs for Italy. What is significant to highlight about the Vestas* V27 and V29 turbine, is how it builds on a hydraulic pitch system requiring an in-depth understanding of the technology and how it works. This is important when it comes to daily operation and maintenance as well as for upgrading the turbine system with a retrofit solution for lifetime extension and availability and, to secure an independent need of old Vestas* spare parts. Roughly, this means that it is critical to have the technological know-how to replace an old Vestas* component with a new and different component in the V27, V29 turbine. There are no standard components with the same functionalities as the old components to find on the market due to the older Vestas* turbines have more than 15 years presence on the market. The technological know-how is the key to implement application and software into the new component for the next step of integrating the new component including software into the older and existing system.

A case study with Italian developer and ISP

DEIF Wind Power Technology is in close collaboration with an Italian turbine system supplier that successfully has taken over the daily operation and maintenance of their own Vestas* V27 turbine after DEIF Wind Power technology has provided an entire retrofit package for replacing the turbine controller in an old Vestas* V27 turbine followed by training and technology transfer for the daily operation.

The process of carrying out a robust retrofit solution depends on the specific turbine’s system and technology to determine the concrete retrofit solution for upgrading a turbine’s lifetime and performance. The V27 turbine’s controller system is irreplaceable, and no standard component can thus be integrated as a one-to-one solution. Therefore, it is crucial to start by carrying out a thorough analysis of the turbine system and interaction between components as a baseline for designing the suitable retrofit package. Once the design has been completed, DEIF Wind Power Technology tailors a retrofit solution package composed of turbine components, application and sensors including add-ons to be integrated into the entire system. What affects turbine performance, is the technology and know-how for integrating a new system; in this case, we focus on the advanced wind turbine controller in replacement of the old Vestas* V27 controller system.

Retrofit solution kit for upgrading Vestas* V27 turbine controller:

Design package for complete integration of new components into the wind turbine after an analysis has been conducted.
Component package:

• Advanced Wind turbine Controller and Thyristor controller for replacement
• Application and sensor package for upgrading the V27 turbine including add-ons to upgrade performance e.g. according to shock and vibration, wind sensor
• Review, commissioning and training

This retrofit approach including replacement with new turbine control above standard, ensures optimal performance, lifetime extension, increased availability and is robust enough to last longer than the entire mechanical and commercial system’s remaining lifetime. Components come with a new five-year warranty. Furthermore, DEIF ensures 20 years of supply warranty on spare parts.

Knowledge transfer for mastering turbine operation

What DEIF Wind Power technology does, is to involve the customer step-by-step in training throughout the entire process of commissioning the turbine. With this approach, we make sure to prepare our customers with the tools and know-how to manage the daily operation of the new system. With this approach the Italian turbine system supplier has taken over the daily operation and maintenance with a minimal need of support, having the insight and knowledge about the logic of the system and how it interacts with the new controller

Reference:

“I appreciate the close collaboration with DEIF Wind Power Technology for Retrofit of our old Vestas* V27 turbine, which needed a new turbine controller with software and application. DEIF Wind Power Technology carried out a professional approach to commission the turbine and to involve us thoroughly throughout the entire process so we can safely manage the daily maintenance of the turbine and we gained ownership very fast as we felt secure in the handling of the system and needed a minimum of support after the training. We feel that we completely understand the logic of the new system which has a user-friendly HMI interface. We are very satisfied and look forward to our next retrofit collaboration”, concludes the Italian partner.

Read more about Wind Turbine Retrofit

^{*) “Vestas” is a trademark of Vestas Wind Systems A/S. The trademark owner is not associated with our products or services}