Objective
To demonstrate the economic viability of wind energy in France and in the french overseas territories, given proper site evaluation and life cycle cost analysis. The 200 kW pilot-plant already on the site has confirmed the validity of our calculations, but an increase of the plant size to 2 MW is now necessary to achieve a better knowledge of the organization of operation and maintenance of a large farm. Also the size of the chosen turbines makes them the first utility-scale wind turbines to be installed in France. The operation will be closely watched by the national french utility which shows recent enhanced towards wind energy. The aim is also to acquire experience in managing a windfarm composed of few but large machines before further investments in the DOM-TOM and in Corsica where developments costs are higher than on mainland France, and in Morocco where investments are planned for a multi-MW wind installation.
Site works in preparation for the installation started in June 1993. The installation procedure proved to be effective and faster than scheduled; the wind farm was connected to the grid on September 10th, 1993. A mean annual wind speed of 7.8 m/s has been recorded at hub height. From October 1st, 1993 until August 31st, 1995, the availability of the wind turbines has been 92%. The yearly average energy production is 6.073 MWh, 18% more than expected. This good production figure is due to the high availability and to periods of strong winds.
"Port-La-Nouvelle windpark" is a 2000 kW power plant connected to the grid. It will comprise four Vestas V39-500 kW pitch-regulated wind turbines. Electricity will be delivered to the french national utility or to a nearby cement works factory. In the latter case the grid would be used as common carrier, however transport cost might be prohibitive.
The site was retained because it is located in one of Europe's windiest regions, in an industrial area, and our first turbine has been chosen as the town emblem by Port-La-Nouvelle citizens, which proves an actual interest in the project and its extension. The site itself is the south-west part of the nearby cement works facility quarry. It is an open area covered by scattered and poor vegetation. The existing 200 kW windturbine is at 300 m in the north. Given the main wind direction, the expected wake effect, activity of the quarry and high voltage power lines, the four turbines have been aligned at 78 deg.C from the north at 120 m from each other.
The chosen machines are Vestas V39, 500 kW, pitch regulated, with active yaw and a three blades rotor. The blades are made of reinforced polyester and expoxy. Each consisting of two baldeshells, bonded to a supported beam by a special bonded-in aluminium root insert. Using an independently supported main shaft, the power is transmitted to the generator through a gearbox (one planetary stage and two helical stages). From the gear to the generator, the power is transmitted through a double cardan joint together with a friction clutch. The pitch regulation keeps the power at nominal value at high winspeeds independently of temperature and air density. For emergency stops, a disk brake is mounted on the high-speed shaft of the gearbox. All functions are monitored and controlled by a microprocessor-based control unit, the regulation of the pitch of the blades is done by a hydraulic system, which also delivers pressure to the brake system. Yawing is done by two electricalyaw motors.
Main specifications are : Diameter 39 m; Hub height 40,5 m; Rotational speed 30 rpm; Cut-in wind speed 4 m/s; Rated wind speed 15 m/s; Cut-off wind speed 25 m/s.
Mean annual wind speed was investigated using one year on-site data recordings (30 m high), nearby meteorological data and WAsP program. The simulationss gave a yearly average windspeed of 7,5 m/s at 30 m high. Using the Park function of WAsP, the expected yearly output was calculated taking into account the wake losses, availability power lines and transformer efficiency. The results was an expected production of 5 144 MWh/yr with a capacity factor of 29,4%,
The electricity is sold at an average buy-back rate of 0,2825 FF/kWh. This leads to an expected income of 1.453.224 FF for the first year. The operating and maintenance costs were obtained from our experience and are expected to be 610.897 FF/year on the first year. The economic calculation gave an internal rate of return of 10,5% for the project (basedon equity).
Programme(s)
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
75019 Paris
France