High-performance WindSTAR transformers for the world’s most powerful commercial offshore wind turbines to enable phase two of the Borssele wind farm in the North Sea
ABB has won an order of more than $20 million from MHI Vestas Offshore Wind to supply reliable, energy-efficient and compact WindSTAR transformers, which are designed for installation in wind turbines.
Borssele III and IV comprise the second phase of the Borssele wind farm. This phase constitutes a 731 megawatt (MW) wind project in the North Sea, 22 kilometers off the coast of The Netherlands and will be capable of providing enough clean energy to power more than 800,000 households.
ABB will supply its innovative WindSTAR power transformer, which is specifically designed to fit into the tower of a wind turbine. This transformer enables a new generation of powerful offshore wind turbines to operate at the world’s highest voltage of 66 kilovolts (kV), which significantly reduces losses and increases efficiency. It also brings lifecycle benefits and cost optimization.
“These innovative transformers facilitate the integration of offshore wind energy bringing clean power to consumers and reinforcing our position as a partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid,” said Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of ABB’s Transformer business unit, a part of the company’s Power Grids division. “ABB is a leader in the wind industry, providing components to turbine manufacturers and enabling the connection of wind farms to the grid.”
As turbine size increases for offshore (reaching 9.5 MW in this project, a world record power level for commercial offshore wind), transformers must remain compact and lightweight with a minimal footprint, while also meeting specific application needs, mechanical structural constraints and costs.
ABB pioneered transformer technology in the 1890s and has since been at the forefront of record-breaking innovations including the world’s highest voltage HVDC converter transformer and AC transformer at 1.1 and 1.2 million volts respectively. As the world’s largest transformer manufacturer and service provider ABB has an unparalleled global installed base and a vast portfolio of power, distribution and special application transformers.
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a pioneering technology leader in power grids, electrification products, industrial automation and robotics and motion, serving customers in utilities, industry and transport & infrastructure globally. Continuing a history of innovation spanning more than 130 years, ABB today is writing the future of industrial digitalization with two clear value propositions: bringing electricity from any power plant to any plug and automating industries from natural resources to finished products. As title partner in ABB Formula E, the fully electric international FIA motorsport class, ABB is pushing the boundaries of e-mobility to contribute to a sustainable future. ABB operates in more than 100 countries with about 147,000 employees. www.abb.com
Links:
- Web page: WindSTAR transformers
- Web page: Transformers for wind power
- Web page: Wind power solutions
- Web page: ABB at WindEnergy Exhibition and WindEurope Conference 2018
- Article: ABB to supply special transformers for the world’s most powerful wind turbines
- Article: ABB doubles voltage level of special wind turbine transformer
