Opportunity for Partnership and Testing Request for Test Article to Commission Wind Turbine Drivetrain Test Facility 15‐MW Dyno Test Bed with Dynamic Non‐torque Loading System RFP ID 001 Notification of Interest by Company: Aug 12, 2011 Proposals Received: Sep 9, 2011 Partner Identified: Sep 23, 2011 Letter of Intent Signed: Oct 21, 2011 Issued: July 29, 2011 Questions: Questions and request for additional information may be submitted by July 29, 2011 RFP Contact: Konstantin Bulgakov Test Engineer Wind Turbine Drive Train Test Facility Clemson University Restoration Institute Clemson University 1360 Truxtun Avenue, Suite 300‐B North Charleston, SC 29405‐2045 kbulgak@clemson.edu office: 843.554.7226 ext 112 cell: 616.550.9198 Summary Clemson University (CU) is seeking a partner to help commission a new 15 MW wind turbine drivetrain test bed with the capability of applying dynamic non‐torque loads to the main shaft of the specimen, providing programmed forces and moments along three orthogonal axes and low voltage and zero voltage ride‐through testing. Commissioning of the 15 MW test bed is estimated to begin in December 2012 and last for up to 4 months. There would be no facility charges to the partner during the commissioning period. The partner would have access post‐commissioning to the 15 MW test bed at a pre‐negotiated usage rate for up to six months of testing or more as negotiated. Background The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a $45 million grant to Clemson University to build and operate a $98 million testing facility capable of full‐scale, highly accelerated testing of next‐generation wind turbine technology at its Clemson University Restoration Institute (CURI) campus in North Charleston, S.C. The objective of the test facility is to accelerate the development and deployment of new generation wind turbine technology to reduce the cost of energy, grow the “green energy” economy and support energy independence. It will be operated in an open facility model allowing access to all wind turbine innovators. The facility is designed to test direct drive and geared‐drive turbines at 50 or 60 Hz and is optimized to recirculate power during testing to reduce costs. The CU Wind Turbine Drivetrain Testing Facility (WTDTF) will be a part of the CURI campus located at the Charleston Naval Complex in North Charleston, South Carolina focused on advanced materials and energy systems research and development. Located near the port terminals and shipyard in the Charleston area, specimens can be delivered to the facility either by ship, rail or road reducing the cost of logistics to the end users. The facility will consist of two independent dynamometers equipped with non‐torque loading capabilities. The 15‐MW test bed will have the capability of applying dynamic non‐torque loads to the main shaft of the specimen drivetrain and replicating forces and moments along three orthogonal axes simulating actual blade forces experienced in the field. The 7.5 MW test bed will have the capability of applying static non‐torque loads to the main shaft of the specimen drivetrain. The non‐torque loading system on the 7.5 MW test rig will be upgraded to dynamic mode in the future. The 15‐MW test bed is anticipated to be available for commissioning on December 2012 (Q1, 2012). The schedule may move 30‐45 days depending on progress of planned activities. Interested parties should be able to remain flexible on schedule although every effort will be made to meet or exceed agreed upon timelines. Proposed Commissioning Scope of Work The commissioning scope of work will be a collaborative effort that would include Clemson University and its partners including RENK Labeco Test Systems, AEC Engineering, Choate Construction Company, Davis and Floyd Engineering, and the Savannah River National Laboratory. Non‐disclosure agreements will be in place amongst all parties. The scope of commissioning will include but not limited to the following items. The final commissioning plan will be approved by all parties. 
Full evaluation of the control system o Test system controls software evaluation o Dynamometer and non‐torque applicator performance and controls validation ‐ 2 ‐ 
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o Open and closed loop testing for both speed and torque control modes o Controls interaction between the dynamometer and the generator under test Full evaluation of safety interlock system Torque rating up to the pre‐agreed levels Torque measurement system testing Testing of non‐torque loading system in static and dynamic mode up to pre‐agreed force levels Monitoring of power recirculation and power monitoring system validation Analyze and study vibration levels including shaft strain and deflections Low voltage ride through (LVRT) testing and zero voltage ride through (ZVRT) testing Implement partner’s test plan o During commissioning depending on progress of planned activities or o After commissioning per further negotiations Technical Specifications and Clemson University Contributions CU WTDTF is offering a partner up to four months of test time during commissioning at no cost, followed by up to six months of post‐commissioning or more at pre‐negotiated usage rate specifically for the 15 MW test bed. The following facilities and resources will be provided. 20.000
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15‐MW Test Stand with the following capability o Test Power: Up to 15,700 [kW] Figure 1 ‐ 15‐MW Test Bed Estimated Torque Profile o Nominal Test Torque: 15,000 [kNm] Figure 1 ‐ 15‐MW Test Bed Estimated Torque Profile o Nominal Test Speed Range: 1 to 17 [rpm] Torque [kNm]
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Figure 1 ‐ 15‐MW Test Bed Estimated Torque Profile ‐ 3 ‐ o
Non‐torque Loading System  Reference coordinate system for the forces and bending moments shown below in Figure 2 ‐ Reference Coordinate System  Specifications for static loads, dynamic loads and displacement are shown below in Table 1, 2 & 3 respectively Figure 2 ‐ Reference Coordinate System ‐ 4 ‐ Table 1 ‐ Static Loads Table 2 ‐ Dynamic Loads Table 3 – Dynamic Displacement ‐ 5 ‐ 
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o Inclination – 6 [deg] o 50 or 60 Hz System Testing o 750 Channel High‐speed Secured Data Acquisition System with Real‐time Monitoring Capability o Height from floor to center‐line of specimen main shaft: 7000 mm Steady State Electrical Specifications o Nominal Voltage: 23.9 kV at 60 Hz or 22 kV at 50 Hz o Base Power: 20 MVA o DC Recirculation bus at 3300 VDC o Detailed one‐line electrical diagram available upon request Operational costs during commissioning including technicians, test engineers, and utility costs. Resources Provided by Partner 
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Instrumented article to be tested Test article transportation and assist WTDTF with rigging and installation Design and manufacturing for the following mechanical interfaces to unit o Coupling adapter to connect main shaft flange with the load applicator o Any necessary adapters to mount the test article to the floor Power components o Matching transformer for nominal voltage o Power conversion package ‐transformer, power distribution panel (PDP), converter, generator main circuit braker (GMCB) and power cables Auxiliary power requirements Defined preliminary test plan(s) Instrumentation and data acquisition requirements Intellectual Property and Proprietary Data Security Requirements Clemson University is committed to protect facility end‐user’s intellectual property and data. All data collected by the chosen partner will be held at their own discretion. Simultaneously, all commissioning test bed data will be exclusively owned and held confidential by Clemson University. Any further data sharing requirements between two parties can be addressed during contract negotiations. Clemson University’s mission is to educate the next generation engineers. The CU WTDTF offers a great opportunity for companies to engage with students to create a learning partnership that provides students with hands on training and allows companies to evaluate students for potential future hires. Clemson University plans to conduct facility tours for academic purposes during commissioning period with prior approval from the partner company. Evaluation Criteria The following qualitative merit criteria and weighting factors will be used to evaluate the submissions based on weights shown in parentheses: 
Use of test bed up to its full potential performance capability (as described above) ‐ 6 ‐ 
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o Degree in which test power and torque capability is utilized (20%) o Degree in which dynamic non‐torque load applicator capability is utilized (30%) o Utilization of LVRT and ZVRT capability (15%) Partner Support (15%) o Test article reliability – any prior testing of similar system is a plus, units in production and company reputation o Certainty that the test article will be delivered upon agreed time frame o Additional resources (spare parts and labor)provided by the chosen partner to support commissioning work Engaging Academia (10%) o Degree to which chosen partner willing to engage students (both undergraduate and graduate) including conducting facility tours for academia purposes Industry Impact (10%) o Degree and timing to which tested technology impact on current and future wind markets Proposal Preparation Criteria The proposal must include but is not limited to the bidder’s description of the work performed based on the following information: 
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Summary cover letter Cover page including organization name, primary contact person, address, telephone number and email address Contributing partners (if any) Project summary Description of the unit to be tested including key components, weight and CG dimensions and proposed yaw flange dimensions Maximum torque, non‐torque loading forces, speed and types of testing of interest Any known mechanical, electrical and cooling interface requirements Expected time frame of test unit to be available as well as anticipated post commissioning testing duration Any scope of work needed beyond commissioning requirements ‐ 7 ‐