In a huge milestone for green engineering, Clemson University officially opened the SCE&G Energy Innovation Center in November, 2013. It is situated into a fully functional seaport, and is specifically aimed at new innovations in wind turbines as well as testing various energy sector options. In addition, the facility is involved in efforts to erect the first US offshore wind farm.
The new facility is capable of testing drivetrains from 5 megawatts to 15 megawatts, and simulating the standard lifespan of a drivetrain – by speeding it up considerably. The purpose is to create years of wear and tear in the space of a few months, exposing any vulnerability. There are two test rigs: a 15 megawatt and 7.5 megawatt. Not only is this the most innovative and advanced facility in the world, it is also the only facility capable of testing turbines in this range. The drivetrain captures the blade movements and speeds up the rotation, sending higher revolutions per minute to the generator.
In addition to the two turbine test rigs, there is also a 15 Megawatt Hardware-in-the-Loop Grid Simulator. Previously, similar tests were only done in the field, and this is the first of its kind to interact with a detailed system to test real-time responses. Furthermore, the detailed testing system can examine more than simply wind turbines, and will significantly reduce the risk of critical component failure, as well as testing for new designs.
The CEO of Fishermen’s Energy has asked Clemson’s new facility to test a new design for a turbine which could become the central design for five offshore wind turbines, in an effort to build the U.S.’s first offshore wind farm. At the end of 2013, more than 6 gigawatts were fully operational in Europe.
Clemson’s new facility will also be home to a variety of new jobs, mostly in design engineering and researching & development. Between the two rigs and HIL testing, the strategically located Energy Innovation Center is poised to become the foremost wind engineering center in the world.
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