Nacelle (wind turbine)

Components of a horizontal axis wind turbine (gearbox, rotor shaft and brake assembly) being lifted into the nacelle.
200-ton wind turbine rotor hubs that will be installed at the forward end of the nacelles.

A nacelle /nəˈsɛl/ is a cover housing that houses all of the generating components in a wind turbine, including the generator, gearbox, drive train, and brake assembly.[1]

A notable feature now found on some off-shore wind turbines is a large sturdy helicopter-hoisting platform built on top of the nacelle, capable of supporting service personnel and their tools, winched down to the platform from a helicopter hovering above it.[2] Wind turbine rotors are stopped, feathered and locked before personnel are dropped down to or picked up from the platforms.

  1. ^ "How Wind Turbines Work". US Department of Energy. 30 November 2006.
  2. ^ Eize de Vries. Close up: Alstom Haliade 6MW Prototype, Windpower Monthly, 11 July 2012.