In wind power applications, the number of windmills ranges from just a few to hundreds that cover a large area. The wind turbines are scattered and usually lined up in multiple rows to accommodate the wind direction as well as turbulence.
Redundant Ethernet network connections are an ideal solution for bringing windmill nodes together and for creating a reliable communication network for remote data collection, equipment control, and adjustments to windmill settings. Such redundant networks must possess a fast recovery time – the order of milliseconds. Because of the distances between windmills, wind power networking systems require fibre-optic cabling for long range transmissions. Fibre cable also ensures expansion capability so that future turbines can be conveniently added in the future.
System requirements
* Redundant Ethernet infrastructure with secure data communication and fast fault recovery.
* Cost-saving deployment to reduce cabling and time.
* A highly scalable network that supports easy and hassle-free network expansions.
* Fibre-optic cabling for long-distance and noise-immune transmissions.
* Network devices with rugged design for reliable wind farm operations.
The Moxa solution
A multiring fibre network with simpler cabling to form a remote centralised control system that is well suited for wind farm applications that cover vast areas and long distances. Moxa’s managed Ethernet switches support Turbo Chain redundant technology, which allows users to build unlimited multiring connections for a highly available windmill network infrastructure. Unlike traditional coupling technology, Moxa Turbo Chain is practical since it enables flexible connections, easy expansions, and saves on cabling, additional Ethernet ports, and time. Even with unlimited multiring connections, the system can still provide reliable network redundancy with a recovery time under 20 ms. Users simply link the wind turbines together into a switch-chain and then connect back to the control centre directly. Redundant Turbo Chain networks can be easily extended into any segment for future expansions.
Moxa’s EDS-408A three fibre series products are managed Ethernet switches with five Ethernet and three fibre ports. Two of the fibre ports are for creating a Turbo Chain redundant network, and one fibre port is for up-linking to the wind turbine for connecting an unmanaged Ethernet switch. This unmanaged Ethernet switch connects to either a PLC, serial device sever, or an Ethernet I/O to collect and control real-time information such as the wind directions, wind speeds, and shaft rotation speeds. In addition, the EDS-408A features an extended MTBF, a wide operating temperature range, high reliability, and performance that is rugged enough for harsh windmill applications.
Moxa products
EDS-408A 3 Fibre Series
8-port industrial managed Ethernet switch with three fibre ports.
Daudin expands fieldbus modular remote I/O series
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
: The Dinkle iO-GRID X modular remote I/O family is now available, offering fieldbus coupler modules for major industrial Ethernet protocols, and over 20 types of I/O modules to help integrators and equipment builders create flexible, efficient control systems.
Read more...Siemens and HighByte partner to scale industrial AI Siemens South Africa
IT in Manufacturing Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Siemens is expanding its Industrial Edge ecosystem through a partnership with HighByte, enabling customers to connect, contextualise and transform data from operational technology and information technology sources to build AI models and applications at scale.
Read more...Automotive Ethernet media converter
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
HMS Networks has introduced its first automotive ethernet product under the PEAK brand. The PAE-Media Converter is a compact device designed to connect automotive Ethernet (100BASE-T1 or 1000BASE-T1) with standard Ethernet (100BASE-TX or 1000BASE-T) networks.
Read more...3D electrical systems design workflow for electromechanical innovation Siemens South Africa
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking IT in Manufacturing
Siemens has announced new 3D electrical design capabilities within its Capital software, enabling electrical and mechanical engineers to work concurrently in a shared 3D environment to reduce late-stage design changes and accelerate time to market for complex electromechanical products.
Read more...Long-distance signal delivery is critical to rail safety Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
A remote monitoring specialist explains why fibre optic technology is increasingly replacing copper cabling in safety-critical railway signalling systems.
Read more...Building efficiency into cement production with SCADA and IIoT Adroit Technologies
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
For decades, Adroit Technologies has worked alongside leading cement producers, helping them gain greater visibility into their operations through advanced SCADA and IIoT solutions.
Read more...Loop signature Part 2-5: Interactive control systems Michael Brown Control Engineering
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Feedforward control was explained in the previous loop signature articles. One of the examples used was feedforward control of load changes on a heat exchanger when variations occurred in the flow of the process fluid through the exchanger.
Read more...Integrated automation systems in poultry feed production Adroit Technologies
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
South Africa’s poultry industry is increasingly turning to advanced automation systems to optimise operations. Working in partnership with Adroit Technologies, leading poultry supplier Sovereign implemented the Mitsubishi Adroit Process Suite across a key feed production facility, creating a scalable, integrated system capable of supporting both current operations and future expansion.
Read more...Why secure industrial communication depends on deployment as well
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The Industrial Security Harmonisation Group has released a joint industry perspective highlighting a critical truth in industrial cybersecurity: secure communication is not determined by protocols alone, but by how they are deployed and managed in real-world environments.
Read more...A single platform for all automation functions Beckhoff Automation
Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
The introduction of TwinCAT in 1996 marked a decisive evolutionary step for PC-based control. Today, the TwinCAT platform combines all automation functions in a strictly deterministic real-time environment, from PLC and motion control through CNC and measurement technology and beyond, to vision, robotics and pioneering AI tools.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version