More than 140,000 wind turbines all over the world have been automated using Beckhoff technology, each providing up to 25 MW capacity, including in regions with extreme climatic conditions.
On the basis of the PC-based control and EtherCAT technology, Beckhoff makes system solutions available for wind turbines that have been tried and tested worldwide: more than 140,000 wind turbines all over the world up to a size of 25 MW have been automated using Beckhoff technology.
In this respect, our control architecture is perfectly suited to the requirement profile of the industry: openness and scalability, flexibility in the design of the controller and a high degree of integration.
PC-based control: the universal control platform for wind turbines
All processes, from the operational management and control of pitch, converter, gearbox and brakes through to wind farm networking, are executed in software on an industrial PC. Safety technology and condition monitoring are integrated seamlessly into the terminal segment via corresponding I/O modules. A separate CPU can thus be dispensed with. The real-time Ethernet system EtherCAT offers full Ethernet compatibility and outstanding real-time characteristics. Beyond that, it is characterized by flexible topology and simple handling. Another advantage: Lower-level fieldbuses such as CANopen, PROFIBUS and Ethernet TCP/IP can be relocated to the field via fieldbus master or slave terminals for the control of subsystems. Software libraries and hardware components specially developed for the wind power industry round out Beckhoff’s wide range of solutions. The TwinCAT 3 Wind Framework software tool provides turbine manufacturers with optimal support for programming the operational control of their systems. TwinCAT 3 Power Control enables connection to low-, medium- and high-voltage grids. Certified software modules facilitate the implementation of standard-compliant power plant controllers with reactive power, active power, and fault-ride-through functionality.
The expertise acquired over more than 20 years of collaboration with turbine manufacturers in the wind energy industry makes Beckhoff a reliable partner with high solution competence. Together with the international Beckhoff subsidiaries, our expertise team in Lübeck offers worldwide support for all areas of wind turbine control: The services offered range from developing application-specific software libraries to support during the commissioning phase and control cabinet construction.
With PC-based control, you benefit from:
– a universal control platform for operational management, pitch control, farm networking and condition monitoring
– high flexibility when it comes to controller design
– performance-related scalability
– modular expandability
– reduced hardware and engineering costs
– increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness
– improved competitiveness
- Founded: 1980
- Sales: €1.24 billion (2024)
- Employees: 5,450