May 15, 2009 Voith Turbo: In the wind power plant manufacturer BARD, Voith Turbo has found another partner for the WinDrive, which has recently received the Hermes Award.

Same Dimensions But 30% More Output - BARD Develops New Drive Concept for Its Wind
Power System BARD 5.0 in Cooperation With Voith
In the wind power plant manufacturer BARD, Voith Turbo has found another partner for the
WinDrive, which has recently received the Hermes Award. Both companies have agreed to
jointly develop a drive concept for the driveline of the wind turbine "BARD 5.0."
The BARD Group is developing the technology of its wind power station BARD 5.0 further.
Thanks to a new and more efficient drive concept that retains the original rotor diameter of
122 meters and a hub height of 90 meters, the resource 'wind' can soon be utilized even
more effectively.
The further development of the existing drive system "Bard 5.0" to an increased output of
up to 6.5 MW (7 MVA) is an important step towards higher commercial viability of offshore
wind power systems. The central component in the driveline of the turbine will be the Voith
WinDrive, which is used in a BARD wind turbine for the first time.
The BARD-Group and Voith Turbo Wind GmbH & Co. KG are thus working on a 6.5 MW (7
MVA) offshore system that utilizes WinDrive technology. Delivery is scheduled for spring
2010.
"To us, the Voith WinDrive technology represents the optimum synergy of all existing
technologies combined with the latest innovations," was BARD's statement on the reasons
for this cooperation. "With the WinDrive system of Voith Turbo we get very closely to the
requirements of energy suppliers for power station characteristics of wind parks."
The WinDrive of Voith Turbo Wind GmbH & Co KG is a variable-speed planetary gear with
a torque converter. Its key function is to control and convert the variable-speed input of the
wind turbine rotor into a constant output speed for driving synchronous generators.
Depending on the wind speed, the WinDrive adjusts the wind rotor to its most efficient
operating point and its highest efficiency. At nominal power, the WinDrive acts as a back-up
for controlling torque limitations. Thanks to the WinDrive technology, it has for the first time
been possible to use synchronous generators that are directly coupled to the grid and
power station-approved for wind turbines. As a result, all required criteria for feeding
electricity into the grid are fully met.
The upgraded wind power stations are expected to enter service in offshore projects of the
BARD Group over the next few years. Apart from the already approved project "BARD
Offshore 1," the BARD Group has meanwhile submitted further applications for approval to
the relevant German authority (BSH Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency). The total
output of all future projects will amount to over 3,000 Megawatt. Applications for three
further parks for the Netherlands part of the North Sea are underway. "BARD Offshore 1"
will be the first commercial wind park in Germany.

The WinDrive is a product of Voith Turbo Wind GmbH & Co. KG, a company founded in
2007 as part of the Voith Group based in Heidenheim, Brenz. Voith Turbo Wind deals with
the development, the design and the marketing of WinDrive technology.