Safety Systems

The SWIFT™ turbine safety systems have been designed and independently tested to ensure compliance with all mandatory product standards of the IEC 61400 and in particular, BS EN 61400-2: 1995 "Wind turbine generator systems - safety requirements". The Swift™ meets all of the electrical safety criteria set out in EN 50178 and the 16th Edition of the UK Wiring Regulations.

The SWIFT™ is designed (and has been independently verified) to meet and exceed all of the structural and safety constraints required by BS EN 61400-2 and all other UK safety standards for machines of this type. It is designed to withstand extremely high winds and has the following safety mechanisms to ensure its continued safe operation:

Mechanical Furling 

As the wind speed increases past a certain speed, the turbine starts to furl. This means that it starts to turn itself out of the wind. By pointing itself out of the airflow in stronger winds the Swift™ is able to regulate the energy taken from the wind and consequently the electricity generated.

The design of the Swift™ rotor enables it to operate efficiently even when it is not pointing directly at the airflow. Thanks to these precisely engineered aerodynamics and the characteristics of the mechanical furling system, our designers and engineers have been able to finely tune the Swift™ turbine to both furl safely in strong winds whilst maintaining optimal generating characteristics.

When there are strong winds that are not gusty, the Swift™ furls appropriately to find the optimal generating orientation in the airflow. However, when the wind is particularly gusty, the mechanical furling system also enables the Swift™ to stay facing the wind without always turning away every time a gust is encountered. This allows the Swift™ to maximise energy extraction from the gusts as well as the intermediate lulls. In this operating regime, the Swift™ will sometimes call on its electronic furling system.

Electronic Furling

The mechanical furling system is backed up by an electronic furl which is able to cope with the extra strong gusts that are sometimes encountered. The electronic furling system regulates the rotational speed of the rotor, thus keeping the power generation of the Swift™ at it's optimal level.

The winning combination of the rotor design and furling systems ensure the Swift™ is able to operate more efficiently and safely in a greater variety of wind regimes than any other turbine.

Electronic Braking

In the event of extreme wind speeds, an automatic electronic brake activates. When this happens we say the turbine is "Braked". This brake will slow the rotor to it's very slow braked rotation speed and in this state the Swift™ does not generate any power. This brake is released automatically when the wind speeds become safe again. The brake does not require electricity to activate and operates in compliance with G83 Grid connection regulations.

Vibration Sensing Accelerometer

All our rotors are finely tuned and balanced so they produce minimal vibration when in operation. As a final failsafe, an accelerometer is built into the hub of the turbine (a similar component activates the airbag in some mainstream cars) identifies any unwanted or unexpected vibrations and switches the turbine into a Braked state. It is highly unlikely that this safety system will be needed within the 20 year lifespan of the Swift™.