Cooling wind energy systems without using more power
Nearly every power generating system produces heat as a by-product. This is true for gas powered generators, coal fired generators, fuel cells, and yes - even wind power systems. Excess heat build-up can damage any power generation system.
This week, patents issued to two companies - General Electric, and Siemens - describe systems for reducing heat buildup in wind components. In United States Patent No. 7,443,273, Siemens has devised a system that uses the wind itself to cool the transformer and other components of the wind power generating system. In United States Patent No. 7,443,066, General Electric proposes attaching heat pipes to the stator and/or rotor to dissipate heat from the generator itself.
