Cooling wind turbines
When wind power is converted into electrical power, heat is released. This and solar radiation cause the wind turbine’s nacelle to heat up excessively, meaning that it has to be cooled.
Indirect cooling with fresh air provides the ideal solution here (tip 2: indirect fresh air cooling). It involves the extract air in the heat exchanger being cooled by the fresh air and then being blown back into the nacelle. Plate heat exchangers are used to ensure that the air in the nacelle is fully separated from the fresh air.
Key requirements
To keep the system compact (and the costs low), the heat exchanger needs to operate at a high level of efficiency. As wind turbines are often installed offshore, the plate heat exchangers have to be resistant to corrosion from the aggressive sea air. As space in the nacelle is restricted, compact exchangers are required. Due to its exposed position high up in the nacelle, the system needs to be low-maintenance and reliable. The fact that there are no moving parts helps ensure this.
Special features
There are systems in which the fresh air is conveyed by wind pressure alone, i.e. without a fan. To ensure a sufficient stream of fresh air, a low pressure drop is a prerequisite.
Cost-effectiveness
The alternative to indirect cooling is mechanical cooling. It is important to compare the investment required for this with the operating costs incurred.
