Auto supplier to help build unique wind farm
Posted on 2/7/2008 10:31:49 AM

Ricardo Inc., the Van Buren Township-based subsidiary of the British auto supplier Ricardo plc, said its engineering and development expertise has been tapped by the Newton, Mass.-based wind energy manufacturer General Compression Inc.

General Compression's proprietary Dispatchable Wind system carries the tagline "wind energy on demand" because it decouples wind energy capture from electrical power generation by substituting the electric generators in its wind turbines with advanced compressor systems linked to a central high pressure compressed air reservoir at each wind farm.

The reservoir acts as an energy buffer, storing compressed air which can be passed through an expander plant in order to generate electricity whenever it's needed -- not just when the wind is blowing.

The system uses a compressor manufactured by Attleboro, Mass.-based Mechanology Inc.

Ricardo has been chosen by Mechanology to be one of its key product development partners to assist in developing the compressor, called the Dragonfly, so it will meet or exceed the rigours of round-the-clock operation with an expected life in excess of 20 years.

Ricardo is applying its product engineering skills and practices in areas such as design optimization and material selection, performance modeling and analysis, mechanical dynamic analysis, reliability and robustness engineering, design for manufacture and cost optimization.

Ricardo offers technology, product innovation, engineering and consulting to the world's automotive, transport and energy industries.

More at www.ricardo.com.