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 electrical energy for local electrical grid 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.
Dominican Republic, Las Galeras, 2008
On a site with an average annual wind speed of 6.7 m/s (15 mph)
the AOC 15/50 will displace approximately 156 tonnes of greenhouse
gasses annually.
Goldboro, Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, 2013
3. Proven performance Proven durability
The AOC 15/50 has a verifiable track record of proven performance. The AOC 15/50 is designed to be durable in extreme weather conditions.
First deployed in the 1990s, the AOC 15/50 is the longest serving wind turbine in its class. The AOC 15/50 features a sealed ductile iron drive train, which keeps the turbine protected
There are AOC 15/50s all over the world that have been in service since the 1990s and continue in harsh climates.
to make power today. We have sold AOC 15/50 wind turbines to customers in Asia, Europe,
Africa, North America and South America. 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.
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 A complete maintenance methodology is included in the AOC 15/50’s User Manual that has
and other stakeholders to see real-time production data from their turbine. At the same time, been developed through years of testing and operation.
support teams are able to monitor a variety of operational data points to ensure the efficient
The AOC 15/50 has the longest length of service and largest breadth of deployment in the
operation of the AOC 15/50.
50 kW class.
This combination of experience and technological expertise delivers proven performance.
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. Independently proven AOC 15/50 third party tests and certifications
The growth of renewable energy, while good for the industry and the environment, has also
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located in
resulted in a large number of untested wind energy solutions on the market. Seaforth Energy Golden, Colorado, is the United States’ primary laboratory for
supports the requirement that all wind turbines be tested and certified as being fit for its purpose renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.
by independent third parties. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a government-
owned, contractor-operated facility; it is funded through the U.S.
The AOC 15/50 has been subjected to rigorous 3rd party testing. Much of this testing was carried Department of Energy (DOE).
out at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado. The blade design has
Power Performance Test Report for the AOC 15/50 Wind
been independently tested at Sandia National Laboratories. Further, the AOC 15/50 has been
Turbine - NREL 34305, Power Performance Test Report R3
issued 3 UL Certificates.
Wind Turbine Generator System Acoustic Noise Test
Seaforth Energy continues to pursue the latest certification standards for the AOC 15/50. The turbine Report for the AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine - NREL 34021,
is currently on the Interstate Turbine Advisory Council list of approved small wind turbines in the Acoustic Noise Test Report
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 Wind Turbine Generator System Safety and
Functional Test Report for the Atlantic Orient 15/50
Certification Council (SWCC) to be certified to AWEA 9.1. The AOC 15/50 also has its Declaration
Wind Turbine - NREL 34382, Safety and Function Test Report
of Conformity for CE marking in Europe.
Wind Turbine Generator System Duration Test Report for
No other turbine in the 50 kW class has completed this level of testing and certification. 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
Kotzebue, Alaska, July 1997
and the drafting of safety standards for electrical devices & components.
Acoustic Noise Test Report
Power Performance Measures
Control Panels
All our tests, reports and certifications are available by request
or online at www.seaforthenergy.com/aoc-1550/certifications
5. Wind turbine power curve
Independently produced through testing by NREL & RISO.
Université Sainte-Anne, Church Point, Nova Scotia, 2010
6. Annual energy produced
Independently produced through testing by NREL & RISO.
Trivigno, Italy, 2012
7. Proven design
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.
The design of the AOC 15/50’s components and operation is the result of years of testing and
Both turbine versions are designed to cut in at 4.9 m/s (10.2 mph). The 50 Hz reaches its peak
operational refinement. The AOC 15/50 has been engineered to deliver.
continuous output of 55 kW at 15 m/s (34 mph); the 60 Hz achieves its peak of 65 kW (60 Hz) at
The designation 15/50 refers to the 15 m diameter rotor and the wind turbine is rated output of 16 m/s (36 mph).
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:
Figure 1: AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine Generator Drivetrain Assembly
2
6
1 3
• Downwind, passive yaw
• High efficiency NREL designed airfoils
6
• High strength to weight ratio fibreglass blades 2
1 3
• PLC controlled, aerodynamic tip brakes
• PLC controlled electro-dynamic brake
• PLC controlled multi-disk parking brake
• Single piece hub casting
• No slip rings 5
• Integrated planetary gearbox 4
• 3-phase induction generator
5
• Single piece cast tower top lattice tower interface
4
• Custom height lattice tower or tubular tower
• PLC based controller with adaptive features
• Optional tilt-up tower for remote locations
8
7
8
7
1 - Gearbox Assembly & Location of Oil Fill Plug 5 - Yaw Bearing Assembly Overall Dimensions:
2 - Generator / Parking Brake Assembly 6 - Rotor Hub Assembly Length: 2.7 m (105 in)
3 - Rotary Transformer 7 - Twist Cable Suspension Bracket Height: 0.8 m (30 in)
4 - Lattice Tower Top 8 - Yaw Lock Assembly Width: 1.0 m (40 in)
8. 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
Proven team
•
•
•
Manufacture of turbine, blades, control panel, and tower
Foundation installation
Electrical installation
Established in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1995, Seaforth Energy is a world leading wind turbine • Tower assembly and erection
manufacturer and installer. • Commissioning
A commitment to maintaining the AOC 15/50’s design simplicity, rugged materials, and safety Seaforth Energy’s experience installing turbines in many countries and geographic locations
features ensures that Seaforth Energy’s AOC 15/50 continues to produce clean electricity in a allows us to actively assist our distributors and customers complete their installations successfully.
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
Cassop Elementary School, Durham, England, 1998
identify, install, and maintain AOC 15/50 wind turbine sites around the world.