IBM has partnered with Alstom and Ikerlan-IK4 to develop higher performance wind turbine control systems that enable customized designs based on geographic differences and ambient environmental changes. The companies are using IBM's Rational Software to automate the system that controls the wind turbines and their communications systems.
The new wind turbines use a sophisticated system of electronic sensors combined with IBM's Rational Software to gather data input on wind direction, speed, temperature and other factors to optimize performance and increase efficiency.
A central control system collects and analyzes data from each turbine to remotely control individual turbine subsystems, perform diagnostics and manage wind farm power generation.
Alstom and Ikerlan-IK4 are also using the Gears Software Product Line Lifecycle Framework from IBM's business partner, BigLever Software, to customize their designs based on varying climates and geographies.
Alstom and Ikerlan-IK4 estimate that their use of IBM and Big Lever Software reduces development costs by as much as 25 percent and decreases development time by a factor of 10 for each product variation.
"Leveraging IBM software helps us apply an automated process to the design and development of Alstom Wind control systems," said Alfonso Faubel, vice president Alstom Wind, in a statement. "This advantage definitely allows us to deliver tailored solutions that are fully adapted to new emerging standards, markets and client needs."
