VerVent HAWT Concepts

Starting points for the VerVent drive train concepts are limiting the number of innovations to a minimum, and reducing technological risks related to new turbine designs as much as possible.

The main philosophy behind the VerVent concepts is to mainly use existing, proven subsystems and components and yet realize significant optimization in wind turbine drivetrain design. The modular approach enables (gradual) capacity increase in parallel to growing track record experience resulting in a low-risk, high-value overall concept.

 Our focus for the HAWT development has therefore been developed to a nominal power range 12-20 MW +.

A novel drive train concept for horizontal-axis 2 and 3-bladed wind turbines. Focus at:

• Rated power range 10-20 MW+.
• High level of system integration.
• Builds at existing mature drivetrain and value chains.
• Risk reduction through limiting main innovations.
• Minimizing of main components and bearings.
• Modular product development approach.
• Optimization through stepwise power rating increment.

The Road to MegaTorque and MergedGear 20

VerVent's core business is dedicated technology development, with a focus at the offshore wind industry. VerVent worked several years on the development of new geared wind turbine drivetrains, with a specific focus at the gearbox and generator.

In 2013 the first horizontal axis wind turbine drivetrain concept was conceptualized. This VerVent 1.0 version comprised a tower-bottom based generator configuration, focussed on reducing head mass and reducing O&M costs.

VerVent's Megtorque Drive Train concepts incorporate the bevel-type gearbox being an important innovation.

Continuous HAWT drivetrain evolution is closely linked to rapid offshore wind turbine scaling, and additional demands for scalability, modular design, head mass reduction (nacelle-rotor, drivetrain, gearbox, generator), enhanced reliability and operating design life.

The illustration shows the development of the design VerVent 2.0 to 3.1 (Megatorque) in volume. VerVent 2.0 was still the generator with two rotors; VerVent Megatorque 3.1 has an advanced gearbox and a " standard" high speed generator. VerVent engineers have succeeded in reducing weight and volume. Megatorque 20 is the design of a complete Drive Train; MergedGear the design of a gearbox. Both technologies uses the same patent.

MegaTorque 20 and MergedGear 20 have both the fully integrated patent-pending gearbox design and at least twelve patentable features.