Turbines are running out of warranty and not up to date with today’s modern technology. Together, DEIF Wind Power Technology and ABB Center of Excellence in Spain solve the problem and deliver a top class solution that upgrades old turbines with completely new technology to comply with grid code demands. The benefits give refurbished turbines a completely new and fully functional system for maximizing performance. Also, the production of green electricity becomes as effective as of a new turbine. The solution is cost effective and gives turbines new life for reinstallation somewhere else.

ABB Center of Excellence is the project entrepreneur providing refurbishment services for wind operators, from dismantling old turbines to upgrading and reinstalling them elsewhere. As partner in the strong collaboration partnership, DEIF Wind Power Technology conducts the complete integration of the new electrical system into the old turbines and supplies the new control technology and strategy to bind together the entire mechanical system for successful interaction.

State-of-the-art turbine refurbishment
ABB and DEIF Wind Power Technology share the same values of developing turbine services and technology for green safe energy production on the world market, which results in a natural established partnership to lift wind turbine refurbishment to another level.

The problem is that older turbines are running out of warranty because the technology is outdated and based on a fixed system giving less energy production. ABB and DEIF responds to the emerging problem with a top class refurbishment solution that ensures a new life for old turbines.

The approach to refurbishment is based on retrofitting old turbines with new upgraded technology and mechanical components such as; power converter, generator and controller constituting an agile system approach. The State-of-the-art solution builds on quality of the mechanical components living up to the high standards for safety criteria combined with the entire system integration. DEIF Wind Power Technology is involved throughout the entire refurbishment process from the design of new panels to factory and site acceptance test and last the commissioning. In this way, delivers the entire turbine retrofit solution for refurbishment.

ABB’s many testing facilities in Spain provides a professional milieu for completing the functionality testing of the upgraded turbines to ensure maximum performance before reinstalling them at their final destination.

The benefits of this solution extends turbine lifetime, maximizes energy production and conforms to local grid codes. Refurbishment of a second-hand turbine saves operators half the costs of an entirely new turbine and can be ready for performance in just a few months. With new system technology the turbine is secured to perform as effectively as an entire new turbine.

Currently, we are working on refurbishment solutions for Vestas V29 turbines in North Ireland and for Vestas V44 in Chile. More projects are in pipeline for the Spanish wind market. The crucial part of operating with turbine refurbishment depends on each single turbine’s type, class, environmental circumstances and market tariffs. For example, in North Ireland, a refurbishment must secure that the turbine conforms to the latest grid code criteria NIE D-CODE, 2015.

Another current project for refurbishing Vestas V44 turbines in Spain for reinstallation in South of Chile addresses a more complex situation. A site with an average wind of 9-10 m/s having a major demand to the turbine control system. The turbines are connected to a gold mine which is built as an off-grid system supported by diesel generators. Here, the solution is to reduce the consumption of diesel thus, reduce costs for the mine owners. At the same time, reduce CO2 emissions and secure green energy production.