20th Cooling System
This fall, Heatex delivered its 20th cooling system for GE.General Electric (GE) is the producer of the world’s largest offshore wind turbine, the Haliade-X, nearing the same height as the Eiffel Tower. To cool the 30-feet-in-diameter generators at the top of the turbine, GE partnered with Heatex to supply the cooling system.
Heatex is an expert in cooling systems and leverages its standard air-to-air heat exchangers to develop a customized system solution to meet GE’s specific needs. GE was looking for suppliers capable of supplying larger modules that meet demanding requirements regarding heat dissipation, quality, production, and cost.
An Integrated Cooling System
The turbines are placed out in the ocean, and as it rotates, it creates heat that needs to dissipate. However, the salty ocean air risks causing corrosion, so GE needed an air-to-air closed-loop cooling system to keep the internal air contaminant-free while cooling the generator.
With every degree that the cooling system can lower the generator temperature, it effectively extends the generator’s life and improves GE’s financial return. The more efficient the heat exchangers are, the more efficient the turbines are.
To keep the generator cool, Heatex supplies an integrated cooling system consisting of two separate units, one on each side of the nacelle, providing 700 KW of cooling power. The cooling system has closed channels that run perpendicular to one another.
With plate heat exchanger technology, the cooler outside air is pulled into the cooling system and runs next to the closed channel with the warmer air from the generator, cooling it down before it goes back into the generator. The advantage is that the system is practically maintenance-free, making it suitable for remote, offshore wind turbines.
“GE was looking for suppliers capable of supplying larger integrated sub-systems, not just components, and capable of meeting very tough requirements in terms of heat dissipation, quality, production, and cost,” says Pierre Nyström, CEO of Heatex.
Over the years, Heatex has had many clients in the wind turbine cooling segment looking for flexible or completely customized solutions.
Depending on what exactly needs cooling inside the nacelle, Heatex splits its solutions into three areas. Nacelle, generator, and converter/transformer cooling. All systems are based on liquid-free, maintenance-free air-to-air heat exchangers.
Read more about Wind Turbine Cooling
Proven Technology
Over 2000 Heatex cooling systems are successfully operating worldwide.
Solid Track Record
Heatex has over 10 years of experience in both On- and Offshore applications.
Extensive Capabilities
Heatex delivers cooling systems to double-digit projects all around the world.
Proven Technology
Over 2000 Heatex cooling systems are successfully operating worldwide.
Solid Track Record
Heatex has over 10 years of experience in both On- and Offshore applications.
Extensive Capabilities
Heatex delivers cooling systems to double-digit projects all around the world.