Executive Summary: Restoring High-Wind Performance in a Legacy Nordex N60 Turbine
A large electric utility in Japan restored the performance of a legacy Nordex N60 wind turbine by implementing an Emerson wind turbine control system retrofit. After two years of underperformance, the turbine required a solution that could improve availability, reduce maintenance costs, and eliminate reliance on the original equipment manufacturer.
By deploying an Ovation™ wind turbine control system with Ovation™ Green SCADA, Emerson enabled the turbine to return to high-performance operation. Following the retrofit, availability exceeded 99%, energy production surpassed 800 MWh shortly after commissioning, and ongoing operations benefited from greater flexibility, spare parts access, and remote support.
Results: Measurable Gains in Availability, Energy Production, and O&M Efficiency
- 99% turbine availability
- More than 800 MWh produced shortly after retrofit
- High-value returns through improved operational efficiency
- Reduced O&M costs and increased independence from turbine OEM
- Full access to spare parts and long-term technical support
Application
Wind turbine retrofit of a Nordex N60 turbine located in the mountains of Japan. The Nordex N60 is a legacy stall-regulated wind turbine that served as a high-wind workhorse during the late 1990s and now remains a prominent fixture in the refurbishment and lifetime-extension markets.
Customer
Large electric utility in Japan.
The Challenge: Recovering Performance and Independence from an Aging Control System
For two years, a Nordex N60 turbine was underperforming, with reduced energy output and operational efficiency. The operator needed a reliable retrofit solution that could restore performance, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure long-term viability without needing to depend on the original equipment manufacturer.
The Solution: Ovation Wind Turbine Control System and Ovation Green SCADA Retrofit Package
Emerson delivered a comprehensive wind turbine retrofit package for the Nordex N60 turbine, featuring Ovation™ control system hardware, software and SCADA integration. Thanks to the open and flexible design of Emerson’s solution, a local service provider was able to install the hardware seamlessly. Emerson’s engineering team then completed the software integration and conducted field testing, ensuring the turbine was optimized and ready for high-performance operation.
The solution included:
- Ovation control system hardware and software: Fully integrated into the existing turbine setup, enabling fast commissioning and reliable performance.
- Ovation™ Green SCADA: Provided real-time monitoring and control capabilities, enhancing operational visibility and responsiveness.
- Field Testing: A full 24-hour test in high-speed wind conditions confirmed the turbine’s performance and reliability.
- Remote Support: Post-installation fine-tuning and diagnostics were conducted remotely, ensuring optimal performance and availability.
The retrofit resulted in a dramatic improvement in turbine availability - exceeding 99% - and restored energy production to over 800 MWh shortly after installation. The project’s success highlights the effectiveness of Emerson’s wind turbine retrofit solutions in extending turbine life, improving ROI, and reducing operational dependency on wind turbine OEMs.
Why It Matters: Extending the Value of Legacy Wind Assets in High-Wind Regions
Legacy wind turbines operating in demanding environments often suffer performance and availability losses as control systems age and OEM support diminishes. This Nordex N60 retrofit demonstrates how modern wind turbine control systems can restore performance, increase reliability, and reduce long-term operating risk without mechanical replacement.
By improving availability, restoring energy production, and enabling independence from the original turbine OEM, Emerson’s wind turbine control retrofit solutions help utilities and operators maximize return on existing assets while extending turbine service life in challenging operating conditions.
“We have actually been able to improve the performance of the turbine and bring the availability above 99%, which is very satisfying for all parties involved.”
– Customer Projects Engineer, 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
- Emerson Revitalizes Fuhrländer MD70 with Wind Turbine Retrofit Solution
- Wind Farm Operator Reaps Results and ROI with Vestas V44 Wind Turbine Control Retrofit
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.