Engineering & Technology Reference 

Abstract: In recent years, the desire for high efficiency and high torque density electric motors without permanent magnet (PM) materials for the industrial, as well as the specialist product sectors, has increased significantly and has developed into a hot research topic. This article discusses a re-emergent type of AC electrical machine, the synchronous reluctance machine. Current EU legislation aims to tackle global energy usage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the synchronous reluctance motor is discussed in this article – Its potential to become the future industry standard for high efficiency, low cost, high output industrial drives for fan, pump and mill type industrial applications is explored. The author will be brought up to speed with synchronous reluctance technology, presented with both its advantages and disadvantages with the suitability of the technology for industry application being discussed and a comparison made with respect to competing technologies – the traditional induction machine and the modern PM machine. Current and future research trends are outlined and a simple engineering case study is also presented as an indication of the energy saving potential of this type of machine. This article aims to inform students, engineers and key-decision makers in industry about this exciting technology.

Abstract: Soil-Structure-Interaction (SSI) for offshore wind turbine supporting structures is essentially the interaction of the foundation/foundations with the supporting soil due to the complex set of loading. This paper reviews the different aspects of SSI for different types of foundations used or proposed to support offshore wind turbines. Due to cyclic and dynamic nature of the loading that acts on the wind turbine structure, the dominant SSI will depend to a large extent on the global modes of vibration of the overall structure. This paper summarises the modes of vibration of offshore wind turbines structures supported on different types of foundations based on observations from scaled model tests and numerical analysis. As these are new structures with limited monitoring data, field records are scarce. Field records available in the public domain are also used to compare with the experimental findings.

Abstract: The operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms represent a significant proportion of the lifetime cost of energy of offshore wind. There are a number of significant differences from maintaining wind turbines in the onshore environment and new methodologies that will be required as wind farms increase in size and distance from shore. Understanding the key cost drivers is therefore vital in order to determine optimal maintenance strategies for existing wind farms and minimising the uncertainty associated with future projects. This study identifies the key issues associated with operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms for this purpose. A review of early operational experiences in the North Sea is also presented and key lessons learned to identify. In addition, a case study based on operating strategies for major maintenance actions is included. This case study demonstrates how different strategies can impact overall costs and the uncertainty of offshore wind.

Abstract: In the EU-funded CROPS project robots are developed for site-specific spraying and selective harvesting of fruit and fruit vegetables. The robots are being designed to harvest crops, such as greenh ...