April 2010 · Wind Systems Magazine

The truer the shaft alignment, the lower the maintenance costs and longer the turbine life, but how can it be achieved? LUDECAwind has the answers. The world’s first electric power generating wind turbine was manufactured by Charles Brush in 1888, and it delivered 12 kW of power reliably for 20 years (Fig. 1). The battle to make wind energy economically viable has been going on ever since, and it must be fought on many fronts. One key element in the struggle for increased reliability and efficiency is achieving excellent shaft alignment of the wind turbine generator train. Is this an uphill battle for you?