Windflow turbine tested and rested

Tuesday, 19 October 2004, 11:12 am
Press Release: Windflow Technology

Windflow Technology’s prototype wind turbine at Gebbies Pass (near Christchurch) has been halted for minor repairs and design improvement work.

“We’ve achieved a milestone of 120 hours of continuous operation through some strong and turbulent nor-west winds,” said Windflow Chief Executive Officer Geoff Henderson. “We decided to shut down the machine when the pitch actuating tube fractured. It’s a small, but important part of the turbine’s control mechanism and in hindsight it is obvious why this happened. We’ll replace it with a new one that we have designed. We will also take this opportunity to improve the cladding mounts and refine the control software before re-starting the turbine.”

The company will do the retrofit work in Christchurch and expects to have the turbine running again in couple of weeks.

“This is just normal prototyping stuff as we continue to refine the details and learn how well the machine performs in gusty winds,” Mr Henderson said. “These modifications will be incorporated into the next turbines we build. Our next objective is to achieve 240 hours continuous running without any faults.”

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