The project was supported by the UK Department of Trade and Industry under its New and Renewable Energy Programme.
The rotor incorporates hydraulically operated pitch control that allows active-stall rotor speed control. By using this technique, the pitch of the rotor blades is adjusted a high wind speeds in order to force the rotor to stall. This was seen by NEGM as vital for scaling up existing designs for offshore applications.
Following successful bench testing of the new rotor hub, the assembly was installed on a 2MW turbine at Burgar Hill, Orkney. The unit was put in place in March 2000 and has been generating power since April 2000 under the Scottish Renewable Energy Obligation. Annual mean wind speed at Burgar Hill is greater that 11m/sec, more severe that will normally be encountered at offshore UK sites.
