Turbine Tower Spain

Spain has inaugurated its first prototype offshore wind turbine, a state-of-the-art 5MW unit, at the Arinaga Quay on Gran Canaria Island. A critical component of this project is the wind turbine damper developed by Flow Engineering, specifically a Tuned Mass Damper, designed to mitigate vibrations that can adversely affect turbine performance.

During the erection of the main tower structure, the wind turbine damper was essential in addressing vortex-induced vibrations. This specialized damper plays a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of the turbine during its installation in challenging marine environments.

The nacelle, weighing 72 tonnes, measures over 12.5 meters in length, with a width and height of 4 meters each. The turbine features blades that are each 62.5 meters long and weigh 15 tonnes, making them the longest blades ever produced and transported in Spain at that time.

To prevent the potential effects of vortex shedding that may occur between the tower’s erection and the assembly of the nacelle, the Tuned Mass Damper was installed on top of the tower. This innovative wind turbine damper, with a moving weight of 3 tonnes, enhances stability during this critical construction phase. By effectively reducing vibrations, the damper ensures the safety and longevity of the wind turbine during installation, contributing to the reliability and quality of the tower that operates to support renewable energy generation in Spain.

This pioneering project not only showcases Spain’s commitment to advancing renewable energy technologies but also underscores the significance of employing effective wind turbine dampers to enhance the performance of offshore wind farms.