2. The world’s most proven
50 kW wind turbine
The AOC 15/50 is the world’s most proven 50 kW wind turbine.
Manufactured by Seaforth Energy, the AOC 15/50 is a 50 kW wind turbine that provides
emission-free electricty for local consumption, electrical generation direct to panel, remote
community wind-diesel integration, and off-grid village electrification.
The AOC 15/50 has been installed around the world, including in Canada, the United States,
the Caribbean, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Morocco, and India.
The AOC 15/50 wind turbine is the evolution of the rugged and reliable Enertech E 44,
originally designed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the United
States. Hundreds of E 44s were installed in the 1980s, many of which are still running today.
In the 1990s, the Enertech E 44 was evolved into a 50 kW version called the AOC 15/50.
Seaforth Energy began manufacturing the AOC 15/50 in 1995.
Since that time, Seaforth Energy has assembled a team of engineers, installation and maintenance
technicians who are unparalleled worldwide for their proven knowledge and experience in the
responsible installation of 50 kW wind turbines.
Seaforth Energy’s customers range from governments through large commercial enterprises,
to small businesses and farmers. All of these customers share the same goals: to reduce
their energy costs and create a sustainable source of revenue, while helping to reduce
atmospheric pollution.
Over its 30 year design life, on a site with an average annual wind
speed of 6.7 m/s (15 mph), the AOC 15/50 will displace approximately
4680 tonnes of greenhouse gasses annually.
Dominican Republic, Las Galeras, 2008
Goldboro, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, 2013
3. Proven performance
The AOC 15/50 has a verifiable track record of proven performance.
First deployed in the 1990s, the AOC 15/50 is the longest serving wind
turbine in its class. There are AOC 15/50s all over the world that have
been in service since the 1990s and continue to make power today. We
have sold AOC 15/50 wind turbines to customers in Asia, Europe, Africa,
North America and South America.
This combination of experience and technological expertise delivers
proven performance.
Proven durability
The AOC 15/50 is designed to be durable in extreme weather conditions.
The AOC 15/50 features a sealed ductile iron drive train, which keeps the turbine protected
in harsh climates.
The AOC 15/50’s passive yaw, multiple braking systems, and off-the-shelf components all
contribute to its durability, reliability, safety, and ease of service.
A complete maintenance methodology is included in the AOC 15/50’s User Manual that has
been developed through years of testing and operation.
The AOC 15/50 has the longest length of service and largest breadth of deployment in the
50 kW class.
Design facts
The wind turbine consists of a 15 m rotor that produces 50 kW.
The towers are typically 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 m in height. There are
both monopole and lattice versions, with tilting versions of each
to allow for lowering the turbine due to adverse weather conditions.
The blades are epoxy-fibreglass composite and measure 7.2 m.
The turbine has a constant, low speed blade rotation (64 rpm).
The turbine freely rotates to align with the wind’s direction
eliminating the need for an active yaw motor.
Forbes Lake, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, 2013
4. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located
in Golden, Colorado, is the United States’ primary laboratory for
renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a government
-owned, contractor-operated facility; it is funded through the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Power Performance Test Report for the AOC 15/50 Wind
Turbine - NREL 34305, Power Performance Test Report R3
Wind Turbine Generator System Acoustic Noise Test
Report for the AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine - NREL 34021,
Acoustic Noise Test Report
Wind Turbine Generator System Safety and
Functional Test Report for the Atlantic Orient 15/50
Wind Turbine - NREL 34382, Safety and Function Test Report
Wind Turbine Generator System Duration Test
Report for the Atlantic Orient 15/50 Wind Turbine - NREL
34017, Duration Test Report
Sandia National Laboratories, managed and operated by
the Sandia Corporation (a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed
Martin Corporation), are two major United States Department
of Energy research and development national laboratories.
They test alternative energy devices amongst a wide array of
energy product testing.
Analysis of a Composite Blade Design for the
AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine Using a Finite Element Model
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a safety consulting and
certification company headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.
It maintains offices in 46 countries. UL was established in 1894
and has participated in the safety analysis of many of the last
century’s new technologies, most notably the public adoption
of electricity and the drafting of safety standards for electrical devices
and components.
Acoustic Noise Test Report
Power Performance Measures
Control Panels
Independently proven
The growth of renewable energy, while good for the industry and the environment, has also
resulted in a large number of untested wind energy solutions on the market. Seaforth Energy
supports the requirement that all wind turbines be tested and certified as being fit for its
purpose by independent third parties.
The AOC 15/50 has been subjected to rigorous 3rd party testing. Much of this testing was
carried out at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado. The blade
design has been independently tested at Sandia National Laboratories. Further, the AOC
15/50 has been issued 3 UL Certificates. The AOC 15/50 also has its Declaration of Confor-
mity for CE marking in Europe.
Seaforth Energy continues to pursue the latest certification standards for the AOC 15/50.
The turbine is currently on the Interstate Turbine Advisory Council list of approved small
wind turbines in the US. It is approved for use by the New York State Energy Research
and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and is the only 50 kW wind turbine currently
undergoing testing for the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) to be certified to
AWEA 9.1.
No other turbine in the 50 kW class has completed this level of independent testing.
AOC 15/50 independent third party tests
All our tests, reports and certifications are available by request
or online at www.seaforthenergy.com/aoc-1550/certifications
Kotzebue, Alaska, July 1997
5. Université Sainte-Anne, Church Point, Nova Scotia, 2010
Proven statistics
Independently produced through testing by NREL & Risø.
Wind turbine power curve
Annual energy produced
6. Amherst, Nova Scotia, 2005
On-line monitoring system
Proven production
Seaforth Energy provides an internet based remote monitoring system for the AOC 15/50
that can be accessed through wireless or hard-wired connections. The monitoring system
allows owners and other stakeholders to see real-time production data from their turbine.
At the same time, support teams are able to monitor a variety of operational data points
to ensure the efficient operation of the AOC 15/50.
7. Proven design
The design of the AOC 15/50’s components and operation is the result of years of testing and
operational refinement. The AOC 15/50 has been engineered to deliver.
The designation 15/50 refers to the 15 m diameter rotor and the wind turbine is rated output
of 50 kW. This rated output is achieved at 12 m/s (26.8 mph) by the 50 Hz version and at 11.3
m/s (25.3 mph) by the 60 Hz version.
The AOC 15/50 includes the following design features:
• Downwind, passive yaw
• High efficiency NREL designed airfoils
• High strength to weight ratio fibreglass blades
• PLC controlled, aerodynamic tip brakes
• PLC controlled electro-dynamic brake
• PLC controlled multi-disk parking brake
• Single piece hub casting
• No slip rings
• Integrated planetary gearbox
• 3-phase induction generator
• Single piece cast tower top lattice tower interface
• Custom height lattice tower or tubular tower
• PLC based controller with adaptive features
• Optional tilt-up tower for remote locations
The AOC 15/50 is a downwind turbine. The two stage planetary gearbox is integrated in the
single piece cast housing. See Figure 1 for a more detailed view of the drive train assembly.
Note that the generator/parking brake assembly is flange mounted to the planetary gearbox.
Both turbine versions are designed to cut in at 4.9 m/s (10.2 mph). The 50 Hz reaches its peak
continuous output of 55 kW at 15 m/s (34 mph); the 60 Hz achieves its peak of 65 kW (60 Hz)
at 16 m/s (36 mph).
1 - Gearbox Assembly & Location of Oil Fill Plug
2 - Generator / Parking Brake Assembly
3 - Rotary Transformer
4 - Lattice Tower Top
5 - Yaw Bearing Assembly
6 - Rotor Hub Assembly
7 - Twist Cable Suspension Bracket
8 - Yaw Lock Assembly
Figure 1: AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine Generator Drivetrain Assembly
Overall Dimensions:
Length: 2.7 m (105 in)
Height: 0.8 m (30 in)
Width: 1.0 m (40 in)
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8. Proven team
Established in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1995, Seaforth Energy is a world leading wind turbine
manufacturer and installer.
A commitment to maintaining the AOC 15/50’s design simplicity, rugged materials, and safety
features ensures that Seaforth Energy’s AOC 15/50 continues to produce clean electricity in a
variety of wind regimes, locations and markets.
Seaforth Energy and its distributors provide a team of proven wind energy professionals with
years of experience. These years are comprised of thousands of hours of time engineering
and implementing a proven manufacturing process, and installing AOC 15/50 wind turbines
all over the world.
Seaforth Energy’s multi-disciplinary team of engineers have spent years undertaking detailed
analysis, and implementing tested design standards, in order to support the successful
operation of the AOC 15/50.
Seaforth Energy’s manufacturing team is comprised of proven technicians who are extensively
trained. This training ensures that the highest quality product is delivered at each of our AOC
15/50 installations.
Seaforth Energy’s team of sales professionals are amongst the most experienced in the world.
They have created a proven process to educate distributors and customers on how to best
identify, install, and maintain AOC 15/50 wind turbine sites around the world.
Proven process
Wind turbine projects are all unique due to the regulatory and geographic conditions
present at each site.
Seaforth Energy and its distributors have the expertise and experience to identify well
performing sites for the location of an AOC 15/50.
We have the necessary skills to navigate the regulatory compliance and interconnectivity
processes specific to your location.
The process of creating a successful wind energy project typically include the following steps:
• Site Assessment
• Building, electrical, and other relevant permits
• Net-metering or Feed-in-Tariff agreement with local power company
• Geotechnical survey of turbine site
• Foundation design based on geotechnical results
• Tower design
• Manufacture of turbine, blades, control panel, and tower
• Foundation installation
• Electrical installation
• Tower assembly and erection
• Commissioning
Seaforth Energy’s experience installing turbines in many countries and geographic locations
allows us to actively assist our distributors and customers complete their installations successfully.
Cassop Elementary School, Durham, England, 1998
