Wind turbine tower foundation containing power and control equipment

Abstract

A tower foundation is provided having at least one cavity formed within the foundation. At least a portion of the cavity is located below ground level, and the cavity contains electrical equipment.

1 . A tower foundation, comprising:
 at least one cavity formed within said foundation, at least a portion of said at least one cavity located below ground level; and   electrical equipment contained within said at least one cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The tower foundation of  claim 1 , wherein said tower foundation supports the tower of a wind turbine. 
     
     
         3 . The tower foundation of  claim 2 , wherein said electrical equipment comprises one or more of:
 a power transformer, voltage distribution equipment, inverter, and control panel.   
     
     
         4 . The tower foundation of  claim 1 , further comprising an access door located near an upper portion of said at least one cavity, wherein said access door permits access to an interior of said at least one cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The tower foundation of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a ventilation system, said ventilation system provided to heat and/or cool said at least one cavity.   
     
     
         6 . The tower foundation of  claim 5 , wherein said ventilation system comprises one or more fans. 
     
     
         7 . The tower foundation of  claim 5 , wherein said ventilation system comprises a geothermal heating and/or cooling system. 
     
     
         8 . The tower foundation of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cavity comprises one or more partitions, said one or more partitions used to separate said electrical equipment. 
     
     
         9 . The tower foundation of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more vibration isolating mounts;   wherein, said electrical equipment contained within said at least one cavity is supported by said one or more vibration isolating mounts.   
     
     
         10 . The tower foundation of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least one energy storage device located within said at least one cavity;   wherein said at least one energy storage device can be used to store power generated by said wind turbine.   
     
     
         11 . The tower foundation of  claim 10 , wherein said at least one energy storage device is comprised of at least one or more of the following group:
 a battery, massive energy storage device, a capacitor, and compressed air storage.