Recent global weather and economic changes have seen an increase in the demand for alternative energy resources, which consequently has lead to the optimisation in the supply of electric power. Calculation techniques today not only have to address the issue of continuous recordings and measurements, but also a wide range of additional criteria. This is especially the case for the wind power sector, as other factors such as geographical location, weather etc. play a major role in optimising the productivity of these farms.
Plans to build the world's largest wind farm off the Yorkshire coast have been given the green light by the Government. As many as 400 turbines will make up the wind farm.
The electrical power industry has strived for many years to measure 3-Phase voltage and current signals continuously and in detail. A much need solution will provide sufficient data on unexpected evnts in the electrical system, retrievable at a later stage even if they seemed irrelevant at the time they happened. Such continuous recordings and measurements have proved to be unrealistic due to the large amount of data involved. 
Although measurement technologies are well established today, they are still based on thresholds and pre-programmed to record commonly expected events. Furthermore, they lack the sophistication to be integrated into existing systems and to be configured to include data measurements from additional outside sources. This holds many drawbacks for the industry and may lead to inadequate power consumption, unnecessary damage to sensitive equipment, ineffective planning of expansions and consequently lead to ebormous financial losses.
A much need solution will provide sufficient data on unexpected events in the electrical system, retrievable at a later stage even if they seemed irrelevant at the time they happened. Such continuous recordings and measurements have proved to be unrealistic due to the large amount of data involved.
Construction of the first windfarm off the south coast of England will begin early next year, it has been announced. The 400-megawatt Rampion windfarm, situated eight miles from the Sussex coast, could power up to 300,000 homes and will cost £1.3bn.
G4K BLACKBOX Design Excellence
Apart from being applied in a wide range of markets within the industry, the G4K BLACKBOX and its propriety patented compression algorithm the PQZIP, has been specifically designed to address the needs of Wind Farms. Since its introduction, the PQZIP has effectively overcome the difficulties of continuous recordings, as it compresses bulk data, thereby maintaining a perfect picture of the 3-Phase power signals in a manageable storage space. The PQZIP compression process releases the need for the technology to be based on thresholds, and also for it to be preprogrammed with any triggers to initiate recordings.
The superiority of the BLACKBOX lies not only in the analysis of specific issues such as harmonics and performance of a control system, but also in the verification of the functionality and efficacy of simulation models, applicable even up to a singular Wind Turbine. What makes the device an even more lucrative option, is the fact that it may be integrated into any SCADA system and that it supports MODBUS communication protocol.
The G4K BLACKBOX features customized capabilities, uniquely adapted to address the needs of Wind Farms:-
1. Basic Modbus Communication Via RTU and TCP/IP Connection
- Configuration & Integration All remote device(s) may be configured with any standard Modbus channel, and integrated into the subsequent SCADA system. Therefore, complimenting and enhancing existing system’s capabilities with almost no need for change.
- PQZIP – Due to the enhanced compression capabilities of the internal PQZIP algorithm, the user may set and read an additional 32 parameters, gathered from other sensors. This allows the BLACKBOX to receive data such as wind speed, blade angle, air pressure, etc. These parameters are integrated and synchronized with other vast electrical parameters measured and recorded by the BLACKBOX as part as the PQZIP patented file. Via the Investigator Software the user can now easily access and analyse the correlation between environmental conditions to power condition.
2. Extending Monitoring Functionality via Multi I/O Module
Additional digital and analog I/O ports allow the BLACKBOX to:-.
- Gather operational data.
- Oversee temperatures, levels and statuses.
- Synchronize signal input readings from pulsed outputs (including TOU).
- Determine the status of switches, protection relays, breakers etc.
- Interfaces with other devices and equipment, for condition and operation, i.e.: extending temperature ranges, immunization to electrical noise, and resistance to vibration and impact.
The G4K BLACKBOX’s Multi I/O expansion module offers a further advantage, in that the high rate at which the I/O port signals are sampled and compressed is very similar to the method that that is used in continuous logging. The full high resolution logged waveform data is synchronized with logged I/O signals without gaps.
Each Multi I/O module optimal configuration includes:
- 8x Digital Inputs.
- 4x Digital Outputs.
- 3x Form C Relay.
- 4x Analog (4-20mA) Outputs.
- 4x Analog (4-20mA) Inputs.
- IRIG-B input.
- RS-232 ports
The G4K BLACKBOX unique modular design enables the expansion of up to three I/O modules.
Click to view the Blackbox G4K Fixed Power Quality Analysers
Click to view G4K BLACKBOX ~ System Architecture (opens in a new window).
NB: When G4K Blackbox meets Gibelec…
The entire network of transformers all over Gibraltar was measured with Elspec's G4500 which continuously records the wave forms of both voltage and current in the rate of 1024/256 per cycle. Around 160 transformers are being measured in order to produce a report of energy saving based on Elspec's unique simulation software which simulates millions of samples in time at one cycle resolution. Elspec is in the process of providing the solution for a better quality of power and Energy Saving.