ABB today announced its latest innovation in transformer technology, with the introduction of a 66 kilovolts (kV) WindSTAR transformer that can fit into the tower of a wind turbine. This will enable a new generation of powerful offshore wind turbines to operate at a world record voltage of 66 kV, twice the existing 33 kV level. The boost in voltage level will significantly reduce losses and make the wind generation systems more efficient. It also brings lifecycle benefits and cost-efficiency gains.
As an initial success, ABB has delivered five new WindSTAR transformers to MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, to be deployed at the world's first 66 kV offshore wind farm in the UK. The Blyth Offshore Demonstrator (BOD) is a 41.5 megawatt (MW), five-turbine wind farm, located off the coast of Blyth in Northumberland, with the capacity to deliver clean power to 34,000 homes.
As a follow-up order, ABB will supply another 11 such transformers to be deployed in large-scale offshore wind turbines at the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre. This offshore wind test and demonstration facility, is located about 2.4 km off the coast of Aberdeen Bay, will incorporate a 92.4-MW offshore wind power plant with capacity to meet the annual electricity demand of nearly 80,000 homes.
"ABB's latest 66 kV WindSTAR transformers bear testimony to our spirit of pioneering innovation and commitment to customer focus" said Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of ABB's Transformers business, a part of the company's Power Grids division. "The development facilitates the integration of offshore wind energy bringing, clean power to the people and reinforcing our position as a partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid."
ABB offers a complete range of power and distribution transformers designed for reliability, durability and efficiency. ABB is a major global transformer manufacturer, offering both liquid-filled and dry-type transformers and transformer services that deliver complete lifecycle support, including replacement parts and components.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in electrification products, robotics and motion, industrial automation and power grids, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing more than a 125-year history of innovation, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization and driving the Energy and Fourth Industrial Revolutions. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 132,000 employees. (www.abb.com)
