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Interface Load Cells Propel New Torsional Force Measurements for Wind Energy Project

Amongst the wide variety of industries that Interface serves, clean and renewable energy sectors are some of the hottest in pursuit of sensor-based solutions. Between private and public funding, and the overwhelming desire for humans to become more sustainable, new energy technology and investment is multiplying at a rapid pace. 

Interface force measurement solutions are used in all types of energy-related applications for wind, solar, hydro, nuclear, geothermal, and emerging energy sources worldwide. We are recognized as a provider of choice for our reliability and accuracy in designing, engineering, testing, innovating, and manufacturing precision sensor solutions for the energy industry.  In fact, we have designed unique load cells that are embedded into some of the largest test and production equipment for energy production in the world. Read Interface Most Promising Energy Tech Solution Provider

Advance technologies in renewable and sustainable energy sources continues to drive the critical need to monitor, test, and validate concepts, equipment, and tools used in procurement. In the global energy industry, many of the alternative source technologies are inventive, newer, and require unique measurement solutions to take on the challenges found in R&D, testing, and production.  

In addition, alternative energy sources in their infancy can be very cost prohibitive going from exploration to consumption. Therefore, it is important that quality, cost effective testing solutions are provided to help researchers, engineers and manufacturers minimize total costs. Interface force testing solutions help to solve and lessen the burden of these challenges by offering a wide range of test and measurement solutions.

New Interface case study reveals how our load cells were used by the PTB in Germany to calibrate and test the world’s largest machine that measures torsional forces related to wind turbines.

Interface force measurement sensors were requested to help Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), the national metrology institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, in the design of an innovative wind energy project. As the second largest metrology institute in the world, the PTB has an acclaimed international reputation in research relating to units and precise measurement. 

PTB is a service provider for science, business, and society, and advises the German federal government on all metrology issues. Organizationally, the PTB is a departmental research facility and senior authority within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection. For more than 135 years, PTB’s role has been making important contributions to advancing the energy transition, heat transition and climate protection with quality and speed. 

Interface, working in tandem with our esteemed partner Interfaceforce e. K. in Germany, was asked to provide load cell solutions to use in the design and testing of the world’s first traceable torque measurements of up to 5 MN ∙ m for a wind energy facility. As a first of its kind project, the PTB needed to include high accuracy, quality test equipment to guarantee precise and reliable data. Interface solutions fit the exact requirements.  Read the complete case study here.

Summarizing the engagement, PTB endeavored to construct a system with highly accurate and repeatable results, and one that enable bending moments, axial forces, and dynamic excitations of up to 3 Hz. Thereby, making it possible to realize a metrological characterization of dynamic influences in the (MN ∙ m) torque range, as well as in the MN force range. Working closely with PTB, Interface’s experts in Germany worked with the metrology lab engineers to identify the correct products for this unique calibration system.  

These products are being used to calibrate and test PTB’s torque measurement system, allowing the system to provide accurate and repeatable results over time. The custom load cell products Interface provided PTB for this innovative wind energy system, as detailed in Interface Supports Incredible Wind Energy Innovation, included:

The load cells that were chosen helped PTB to create the system needed for its wind energy facility, which allows multi-component transducers to be calibrated in a traceable and practice-oriented way for force and torque. The system is also now the world’s largest machine starting up at PTB, with which the large torsional forces that occur in wind turbines can be precisely measured for the first time.  Read the article: World’s largest device for measuring torque in wind turbines opens.

As we detailed in Load Cells for Renewable Energy Production and Testing, Interface and our incredible distributor network continues to work with engineers and industry leaders to find viable measurement solutions. Pushing the boundary forward on new and renewable energy is rewarding for our company, especially as we help those achieve energy innovation using sustainable, quality measurement solutions.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Geothermal Well Drilling

Interface and Green Energy Innovation

Interface Solutions for Growing Green Energy

Demands for Quality Energy Measurement Solutions

Interface Supports Renewable Energy Innovation

Interface Supports Incredible Wind Energy Innovation

Interface Supports Renewable Energy Innovation

Interface is a core test and measurement solutions partner to some of the largest energy production and equipment manufacturers in the world. We continue to provide sensor devices and instrumentation, including custom designed OEM solutions, for a range of energy applications used above ground, below ground and at sea.

As expansion of green and clean energy innovation rapidly grows, Interface finds our precision force and torque measurement products in high demand to use in producing new energy from wind, solar, hydrogen, geothermal, biomass and biofuels. If it is designed to create sustainable power, chances are Interface products play a part in the test, management, and monitoring of equipment used for renewable energy production.

The test and measurement sensors and instrumentation devices our energy sector customers use must be durable, high quality, rugged and provide the most accurate results possible even in harsh environments. If the equipment fails, our customers risk steep losses from lack of products, and potential exposure to safety hazards.

A renewable sources application that we are incredibly excited about for the ability to put our innovation to work and make an impact in the mass production, is in the production of hydrogen energy. Hydrogen fuel cells have been around for a long time; however, recent advancements in how we harness the power of hydrogen have led to a renaissance in its use. Interface has had the opportunity to provide robust and accurate products used to evaluate some of the infrastructure being built to harness this renewable power source.

 

Electrolyzer and Fuel Cell Tie Rod Monitoring for Hydrogen Production

Converting to renewable energy is one of the primary tools to address growing energy consumption, as well as addressing climate change. Storage of energy is critical to make renewables work, and hydrogen, or its derivatives are a promising way to store power. Electrolyzers convert power to hydrogen, and fuel cells convert the hydrogen back to electricity. They are both made by stacking multiple anode and cathode plates and a membrane between each, and tie-rods hold them in place.

A real-time fuel cell monitoring system needs to measure the tension of the tie rods to avoid costly preventive and unplanned maintenance shutdowns. Interface suggested installing LWHP Precision Load Washer Load Cells connected to WTS-AM-1E Wireless Strain Bridge Transmitter Modules, under the bolts of the tightened tie rods. The WTS-AM-1E’s were encased in a junction box enclosure. The LWHP’s measured the tension between the plates from the tie rods, and the real-time results were transmitted wirelessly from the WTS-AM-1E’s to the WTS-BS-6 Wireless Telemetry Dongle Base Station when connected to the customer’s computer. Interface’s load cell system successfully monitors the tie-rods tension in real time, thus preventing unnecessary costly preventive maintenance and unplanned shutdowns of the electrolyzer. This hydrogen fuel cell electrolyzer application note shows Interface base products. The actual application used customized column load cells and instrumentation. Contact Interface team for a customized solution designed to your exact specifications.

Renewable Energy Use Cases

Our moment and temperature compensated LowProfile load cells use proprietary alloy strain gages to provide the most accurate readings possible in the harshest environments, such as wind turbines. Interface has a special line of intrinsically safe solutions for harsh environments.

Our LowProfile load cells with loop-powered intrinsically safe amplified output are designed for use in hazardous locations. These load cells are specifically designed from Interface models by adding high resistance strain gages for low-current loop power and shielded internal amplifier for extra low emissions and minimal EMI susceptibility.

Interface’s S-Type Load Cell series provides a suitable force measurement sensor for applications in heavy industries where explosive dust and environment conditions. Our miniature load cells are found to measure alternate energy testing, such as hydropower equipment and solar testing. Tune in to Interface’s Superior S-Type Load Cells webinar to learn more about these special sensors.

Windmill Energy Blade Measuring

A customer wanted to improve the performance of a windmill by adjusting the blade pitch and measuring the torque generated as power ramps. Interface offered its T2 Ultra Precision Shaft Style Rotary Torque Transducer, which is coupled between windmill blade propeller and electric generator. Test torque data is logged into the customer’s data acquisition system (DAQ). Using this solution, the customer was able to use torque data to determine the optimal blade pitch for the windmill. The windmill will now generate more power and with less stress on the bearings. Read about this use case here.

 

Wave Energy Generator

A scientist sought to create electricity by using the energy that is generated by ocean waves and Interface was able to help provide an important sensor for the generator. As electricity is generated by ocean waves, an Interface load cell can measure tether line tension using a submersible 3200 Hermetically Sealed LowProfile® Precision Stainless Load Cell or ITCA Tension and Compression Load Cell. The mooring line was attached to the load cell base and the platform generator was connected to the load cell hub. This measured the forces that were generated by the ocean waves and data was later analyzed by the customer’s data acquisition system (DAQ). The scientist was able to use force data to adjust the tether line. Also, if tether line breaks free, the scientist is alerted immediately to reattach the tether line. Read more here.

Interface is a resolute partner to the energy sector. The opportunity to help enable renewable energy solutions is something that Interface has a committed interest. And these innovators turn to us because of our proven capabilities in the energy industry, as well as our products ability to deliver industry leading accuracy and reliability. To learn more about our work in energy, please visit go to https://www.interfaceforce.com/solutions/energy/.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Demands for Quality Energy Measurement Solutions

Interface Most Promising Energy Tech Solution Provider

Interface Leads Innovation in Oil and Gas Force Measurement