Windenergy News: Rittal at the HUSUM WindEnergy 2012

In conjunction with its “Rittal – The System.” platform , the world leader in housing and enclosure technologies is exhibiting the latest solutions for all wind turbine application areas at Stand 2F19 in Hall 2. The company offers standardised, modular housing and enclosure solutions, characterised by high assembly efficiency, stability and vibration resistance – so cutting the costs of energy.

No matter whether onshore or offshore, Rittal provides highly efficient housing and enclosure systems for all areas involving wind power generators – from the tower and the nacelle and down to the hub. Thanks to standardised, modular technology, plant constructors and operators can reduce their installation and maintenance costs, and so further reduce energy costs. The strong vibrations felt in the hub and nacelle in particular call for reliable enclosure and housing technology, marked by high stability and vibration resistance. These components also have to be quick and easy to install, and must ensure efficient system maintenance.

With a newly developed AE series compact enclosure for pitch applications, Rittal is presenting the first standardized, highly robust enclosure conception for protecting sensitive control technology in wind turbine hubs. The examples under discussion, shown in both sheet steel and stainless steel versions, are especially characterised by their high material strength, additional reinforcements, reinforced mounting plates and by special locking systems.

Rittal now also offers enhanced standard solutions for use in nacelle-based enclosures, based on its TS 8 bayed enclosure system, and in which frequency converters, control and safety systems and the like can be installed. Further attachment systems for mounting plates and panels, for instance with earthquake kits and locking features for doors, provide even more stability and vibration resistance. The development has passed vibration tests in accordance with EN 60721 3-3, Class 3M3. The bayable TS 8 enclosure system also offers the highest possible installation diversity thanks to a unique range of accessories. Where enclosures are to be used as stand-alone solutions, Rittal’s new SE 8 system enclosure represents another option that offers big cost advantages.

In addition, with the TS IT, Rittal has developed a new rack system for network and server technology to securely protect IT systems for communication and the monitoring of wind turbines. An intelligent modular system of racks and accessories, reduced complexity and easy-to-assemble Plug&Play technology provide significantly greater efficiency in both ordering and assembly – and so ensure lower costs.

To ensure the safe housing of energy storage modules such as lithium-ion batteries, Rittal is introducing the first concepts for energy storage enclosures based on 482.6 mm (19”) technology. Through the consistent use of standard components, combined with scaling and modular extension, as well as integrating the inverter, power and battery management, the housing and enclosure solutions from Rittal provide an ideal platform for the development of energy storage systems. Customers can freely choose which battery or inverter technology they want to use. Rittal also supplements these solutions with its own climate control and power distribution products.