R&D
For the purpose of improving the competitiveness and quality of its equipment and services, Gamesa has seven R+D centres located in Spain, Denmark, US and China whose remit is:
- To develop new wind turbines.
- To identify, specify and develop projects of technological innovation involving products and production.
- To provide the necessary technical support for the different activities of manufacturing, installation and service undertaken by the company.
Gamesa's R+D department employs over 600 people. The capacity and effectiveness of Gamesa's engineering group is reflected by its development of new processes and products that allow Gamesa to offer the most competitive products on the market in terms of quality, price and delivery times. Example of this can be found with the new platform developed by the company, Gamesa G10X-4.5 MW.
Gamesa has made a major innovative effort to develop a new generation of wind turbines taking a giant step forward in its full range of state-of-the-art wind turbines. The Gamesa G10X platform, with 4.5 MW per unit, is the largest R&D project carried out by the company placing it at the technological forefront of wind turbine design and manufacture
This new generation of wind turbines, using Gamesa’s own design and technology, permit a reduction in the Cost of Energy produced by using similar equipment and transportation and installation gear as those used in the Gamesa G8X-2.0 MW product range.
The technologies incorporated into Gamesa wind turbines lead the market through
- The use of variable pitch and speed technology.
- A drive train with two-bearing supported main shaft, three-stage gearbox and double-fed asynchronous generator.
- The use of a single cast piece frame that permits stable mechanical behavior.
- A reinforced orientation system, “Gamesa active yaw”.
- And a blade design technology that makes it possible to capture the maximum amount of energy and one that incorporates the latest improvements in its manufacturing process, such as the use of carbon fiber in its most advanced models.
The turbines designed and manufactured by Gamesa incorporate solutions that include voltage drop ride-through devices. Indeed, the company has participated in the preparation of the main international connection regulations while offering a complete catalogue of advanced technological solutions for power electronics such as Gamesa WindFact® or commercialized QGrid products. These products ensure a more stable power supply and an improved integration of wind energy to the grid, in line with operator requirements.
In addition, Gamesa wind turbines have a series of control tools, integrated in Gamesa WindNet®, which allow the increasing requirements of international electricity system operators to be anticipated. Among these are:
- The regulation of reactive and active power, which contributes to the stability of the grid, keeping the voltage and frequency values of the system stable.
- A noise reduction system, Gamesa NRS®, which makes it possible to comply with noise regulations, ensuring maximum production.
- A shadow reduction system.
- And a wake reduction system that minimizes the negative effect of wakes on wind farms.