Vestas V90-3MW
The Vestas V90-3MW is a three-bladed upwind wind turbine generator that uses pitch control and a doubly fed induction generator. Its manufacturer claims to have installed over 500 units of this type globally since launch.
Vestas claims the turbine provides 50% more power for roughly the same weight as the V80. The V90-3MW should not be confused with the V90-2MW, which is essentially a V80-2MW with longer blades. It is produced in both an on and offshore version.
The first V90-3MW was erected in northern Germany in May 2002. 15 test turbines were deployed around the world in different climatic conditions, so that when it went into production, the V90-3MW had been tested in more sites than the V80-2MW. Following a number of gearbox problems, the V90-3MW was withdrawn for offshore sales in early 2007 before being reissued for offshore use in May 2008. Presently, the nacelles are exclusively made at the Vestas Nacelles works in Taranto, Italy. Towers and blades may come from a number of locations. Vestas produces a 3.65 MW low-wind version called the V136.
Technical details
| Parameter | Value |
| Rated Power | 3000 kW |
| Concept | Variable speed, DFIG generator with pitch control |
| Nacelle weight | 70 t |
| Rotor diameter | |
| Rotor weight | 41 t |
| Speed control | Independent pitch control to each blade |
| Generator | Water cooled, various suppliers |
| Gearbox | Hansen, two planetary and one helical, 1:100 step up |
| Cut In | 4 m/s |
| Rated | 15 m/s |
| Cut Out | 25 m/s |
Towers may weigh 160 t if 80 m tall, or 285 t at 105 m.
Differences between V90-3 and V90-2/V80s
Differences from its predecessor model the V80 include use of an oil cooled generator, and a compact gearbox, which now butts up directly to the hub rather than through a low speed shaft. The V90-3MW can be differentiated from the V80 by the shape of the nacelle, which has a cut-out profile at the back. Other differences include:- Does not use a low speed shaft.
- Generator is liquid cooled.
- Lighter tower construction
- Different shape of the back of the nacelle to accommodate this cooling system.
- Yawing system which used six motors rather than four.
- The V90-3 uses gearboxes manufactured by Hansen Transmissions, a subsidiary of ZF Wind Power Antwerpen
- Additional frame structure on nose cone to accommodate hub escape hatch.
- Disc brake for parking.
- New blade construction incorporating carbon fiber in main spar
- Vortex shedders on blades.
For licensing reasons, the 60 Hz model sold in the US and Canada uses a slightly different converter system, allowing only one-way power flow through the rotor converter, rather than 2-way power flow used in the standard version. This restriction does not apply to 60 Hz models sold in other regions.