Executive Summary: Fast Wind Turbine Controller Retrofit
Emerson helped a European wind turbine operator modernize a 1.5 MW Fuhrländer MD70 turbine using a fast, plug‑and‑play Ovation™ wind turbine controller retrofit completed in just three hours. The upgraded system increases processing power to boost AEP, simplifies hardware replacement, and supports IEC 61400‑21 grid measurements. With thousands of MD70 units worldwide, this solution provides a scalable, cost‑effective path to improved performance and reliability.
Results: Rapid, Low‑Risk Retrofit for Higher Turbine Performance
- Plug‑and‑play installation completed in just three hours
- Increased Annual Energy Production (AEP) enabled by higher‑performance processing hardware
- Lower commissioning costs through simplified hardware replacement
- Future‑ready solution easily replicated across thousands of MD70 turbines worldwide.
Application
Wind turbine retrofit of a 1.5 MW Fuhrländer MD70 to replace aging control hardware and improve long‑term turbine performance. Thousands of MD70 turbines are installed across Europe and China.
Customer
A European wind turbine operator managing a large fleet of MD70 units across multiple sites.
The Challenge: Legacy Controls Limit Turbine Performance and Reliability
Thousands of MD70 turbines still operate with outdated control systems and electronics, which restrict performance and drive-up maintenance requirements. The operator needed a cost‑effective retrofit that could be installed quickly, reduce technical risk, and deliver measurable performance gains without taking the turbines offline for extended periods.
The Solution: Ovation Wind Turbine Controller Retrofit Package
Emerson collaborated with the turbine operator to install and test a new Ovation wind turbine controller in one of its MD70 turbines. The solution included:
- Ovation controller installed in the nacelle. Designed for fast plug-and-play replacement of legacy systems, the controller offers more processing power to increase AEP and supports grid measurement per IEC61400-21.
- Ovation displays installed in the nacelle and at the tower base for enhanced visibility and control.
The installation was completed in only three hours, with full commissioning completed in less than a week. The success of the project demonstrates the scalability and efficiency of Emerson’s wind turbine control solution.
Why It Matters: Enabling a Simple, Cost-Effective Upgrade Path
This project demonstrates how a modern control platform can revitalize aging turbines, extend asset life, and improve energy output with minimal onsite disruption. For owners of MD70 fleets, an Ovation controls retrofit solution provides a proven, repeatable path to improved turbine performance and lower lifecycle cost.
“It only took 3 hours to install the new controller. All we had to do, hardware-wise, was to disconnect the old controller and plug in the new one, and commissioning was carried out in less than a week.”
- Ole Binderup, Director R&D - Renewable Energy Technologies, Emerson
Learn More About Emerson Wind Turbine Retrofit Solutions
Strengthen turbine reliability and extend asset life with Emerson’s portfolio of retrofit and monitoring technologies:
- Ovation Wind Turbine Controls Retrofits
Modern, retrofit-ready turbine control platform designed for mixed‑OEM fleets. - Ovation Wind Turbine Controller
Drop‑in replacement controller ideal for legacy turbine modernization projects, offering long-term support and remote-access capability. - Ovation Green Wind Turbine Condition Monitoring Solution
Real-time vibration and temperature monitoring for predictive maintenance and early fault detection. - Ovation Green SCADA
Enterprise and cloud-based SCADA delivering 24/7 remote visibility, performance analytics, and alarm management from any device.
Related Case Studies
Explore additional examples of how Emerson helps owners and operators modernize legacy wind turbines:
- Decommissioned NEG Micon NM48 Wind Turbine Revived with Emerson Retrofit Solution
- Wind Farm Operator Reaps Results and ROI with Vestas V44 Retrofit Solution
- Emerson Retrofit Boosts Nordex N60 Wind Turbine Performance to 99% Availability, Reduces O&M Costs.
Considering a Retrofit?
Learn how Emerson helps operators improve performance, extend turbine life, and simplify O&M for aging wind assets. Contact our wind retrofit experts to start the conversation.