720588Development of a low maintenance magnetic brake system prototypeClosedGRD Development of PrototypeInnovate UKX-Wind bring to market economically viable medium-scale wind turbines based on its proprietary two-bladed helical vertical axis design. X-Wind have identified a non-resistive braking concept with the potential to replace conventional over-speed protection mechanical systems and offer a breakthrough in terms of operational cost with no component wear, limited maintenance and no effective energy requirement. Following in the footsteps of its successful 6kW technology demonstrator developed under the TSB Smart award in 2012/13, the objective of the proposed project is to develop and validate the innovative electro-induction brake solution. X-Wind will call on experienced subcontractor Turbo Power Systems Ltd for the feasibility and design of the electrical components. The newly developed brake will initially be assessed using X-Wind internal powertrain test rig, followed by a thorough 12-month testing schedule of one 6kW turbine prototype specifically built for this project and including the new electromagnetic brake. X-Wind will leverage the results from the project to demonstrate that the proposed over-speed system is capable of controlling the X-Wind 6kW turbine and validate the O&M cost benefit over a similar purpose mechanical brake system. Successful delivery of the project will have a number of positive implications for X-Wind. It will increase product competitiveness by lowering lifetime cost of energy, but also open new markets for the company, where operational cost are paramount, for example in remote or offshore locations. The proposed system also has applications outside of wind turbines and the technology could be used and licensed in other industries where control of over-speed is a safety critical function, such as mine and lift shaft machinery, rail rolling stock and vehicle drive shaft brakes.