Equivalent electrical circuit derivation of a 7MW offshore wind turbine gearbox

A thermal model of the main mechanical components of the Levenmouth Development Turbine powertrain has been developed in Matlab/Simulink in order to predict their efficiency curve as a function of torque and speed and their electrical analogues of current and frequency. A parametric loss estimation method has been adapted to the turbine gearbox architecture, its oil type and temperature and used to calculate the load and non-load dependent losses due to bearing, mesh, seal, churning and windage and pump losses. The gearbox losses have been expressed as notional equivalent electrical circuit parameters.