WINDLINK®

Reliable, high-performance cable solutions

for wind turbines worldwide

The international wind powerindustry is continuing to registerrecord growth, with over 22 GWadded yearly worldwide. In the European Union, wind is currently meeting 3.7% ofelectrical needs, and the goalis now set at 12-14% by 2020.Meanwhile, North America isthe world’s fastest growing windenergy market, with capacityincreasing by 45% annually in the US. China and India are also looking to wind, bothas a source of energy and asmanufacturers of turbines andequipment in their own right.

Of the four leading wind turbinemanufacturers with 75% of the world market, three areEuropean. However, all OEMsare turning to the Americas,East Asia and the developingworld who are anxious to reducepollution and achieve energyself-sufficiency.

As a turbine manufacturer or Tier 1 supplier with globalambitions, you wish to be present on both onshore andoffshore projects internationally.Wherever possible, you wantto produce locally, and expectfast and efficient delivery on all continents. You want toassure high energy output andconsistent, reliable operation. That means a broad range ofreliable cables and componentsfor turbines of all sizes. For problem-solving, you expectsound technical advice. Finally, because you want tosave money, you are lookingfor cost-cutting innovations,improved supply chain, andintelligent systems for remotemanagement.

What you expect from a cable manufacturer:

• A complete range of qualitywind turbine cables andaccessories

• Light, flexible cables thatcan handle torque, extremetemperatures, oil and coolingfluids, vibration, aging, etc.

• Technical innovation andindustrial organization thatkeep pace with the windindustry

• Customized products, pre-cuts, interconnectivity,and appropriate accessories

• Easy assembly and installation,and exceptional durability

• Strong worldwide presenceand expertise ensuringsteady supply for yourinternational projects

When growth is in the wind…

We produce everything fromloop and nacelle cables tocontrol, sensor, fieldbus,Profibus, and optical fibercables, including all connectorsand numerous accessories.Moreover, we manufactureactive equipment, like an intel-ligent Ethernet switch that canconsolidate diverse applications:monitoring, IP telephone, IP camera surveillance, diagnostics, tower access and climate control…all onone fiber via Virtual Local AreaNetworks (VLANs).

Nexans has a proven reputationfor cable reliability and technicalexpertise, in addition to havingsubstantial production capacityworldwide to assure OEMs ofmanufacturing continuity. We know that turbine manu-facturers are selling “electricalgeneration efficiency,” and notjust wind turbines. That’s whywe offer reliability, confidenceand security based on our wideexperience in parallel fields,like automation, materialhandling, oil & gas, and rollingstock. Our extensive knowledgewill help you meet the windpower challenges of the future.

Rather than just provide cablesand components, Nexans’WINDLINK® solutions can outfit a complete wind turbine,assuring that all elements arefully interoperable and compa-tible. When we develop newproducts, like light aluminumor high-temperature energycables we do tests withconnectors and power acces-sories under live conditionsand mechanical stress to ensurecompatibility and durability as a system.

WINDLINK®, a wide rangeof reliable cable solutionsfor quality and performance

• World supplier of all cablesfor wind turbines

• Innovative and customizedwind power solutions

• Pre-engineering and specialkits for easy end-assembly

• On Time In Full (OTIF) deliverythrough advanced logistics

• Fire performance and protection through halogen-free insulations

• Technical and R&D supportfor total life management

• International qualificationincluding UL/CSA, standardization and interconnectivity

…WINDLINK® gives you reliability, confidence and security

WINDLINK® : a full range of cable solutions…

POWER CABLES

Low-voltage loop cablesThese cables (up to 1kV) reliably transmit energy fromthe generator to the transformer,usually located at the base of the tower. They safely absorbtorsion due to the nacelle’sconstant turning to face the wind,and can operate in exteriortemperatures down to -40°Cwhile resisting high temperatures(+90°C). They are also oiland abrasion-resistant.

Nexans has been chosen as a strategic partner for Vestas.The insulation compounds wehave developed can withstandat least 2,000 torsion cycles at -40°C, making them idealfor very cold climates.

Flexible medium-voltage cablesTo carry energy from the transformer in the nacelle tothe bottom of the tower,Nexans provides a light, flexibleand compact rubber cable,typically from 10 to 30 kV forlarger wind turbines (≥ 2 MW). These 1 or 4-core cables havea cross-section of 95 mm2 or lar-ger, and can withstand three fulltwists in either direction.

Nexans is providing flexible MVcables to Multibrid forGermany’s first major offshorewind farm, “Alpha Ventus”near the North Sea island of Borkum, in addition to supplying Alstom Ecotècnia,WinWinD and Scanwind turbines.

120°C nacelle cables For linking generators to transformers positioned upin the nacelle in very large windturbines, Nexans produces LVsilicone cables that can endurethe intense heat (120°C andabove) generated by bundledcables in a confined area.

Nexans supplies cables forAlstom’s newest 3 MW turbine(Eco 100). Many manufacturersare turning to this configuration,which requires better heat performance to prevent prema-ture cable aging. All cables are available in Low-SmokeZero-Halogen (LSZH) versions.

Low-voltage aluminum cables Although cross-sections arelarger than 4-core strandedcopper, singlecore aluminumcables weigh half as much as copper power cables. They are less expensive, andeasier to handle and install in tall towers.

Nexans aluminum plants onnearly every continent ensurethat we can follow turbinemanufacturers or Tier 1 suppliersinto all markets. Nexans’ knowledge of aluminumconnectors and componentsis an added strength.Aluminum cables perform well at -40°C temperatures,and are available in LSZH versions.

Control cables These flexible shielded cablescontain 2 to 100 cores andcarry both the energy (usually300-600 volts) and low frequency signals to controlthe motor drive or the generatorfor nacelle positioning andcontrol of rotor speed.

Nexans delivers to Escha the cables for Vestas systemsto control the pitch of rotorblades. Our cables are designed to last for at least 20 years and more.

Fiber-optic cablesNexans silica FO cables assurehigh data transmission capacityfor monitoring and control.They also offer highElectromagnetic Compatibility(EMC) in energy-dense areas,while large cores (200 microns)make connectivity easier.

Nexans sells pre-cut and pre-connectorized fiber to GEWind and other importantmanufacturers in Europe for easy “plug and play”installation.

CONTROL CABLES

Sensor and fieldbus cables Nexans Thermoplastic Modified(TPM) 2 to 5-core sensor cablesmeasure wind speed, tempera-tures, and performance para-meters, while 2-core fieldbuscables are used in parallelwith energy cables to digitallycontrol all electronic andmechanical devices.

Originally developed for shipsand the offshore industry, thesecompact cables require littlespace, while delivering signaltransmission for remote control.

Profibus cables A 2-core round cable whichcan deliver up to 12 Mbits/sfor complex control purposes.Widely used in the automotiveindustry, Profibus cables havesuperior mechanical anddynamic properties, as well as fast connections.

Nexans is today a member of the Profibus Association,developing cables with 14other companies and connectormanufacturers to create integrated systems with highinteroperability.

Low-voltageloop cables

-40°C / +90°C

Low-voltageloop cables

-40°C / +90°C

Flexible medium-voltage

cables

120°C nacelle cables

Fiber-opticaccessories

Medium-voltageconnecting systems

and kits

Low-voltageconnectors

Fiber-optic cables

Ethernet switch for communication

and monitoring

Ethernet switch for communication

and monitoring

180°C singlecoreSiwo-KulTM

connection cables

180°C singlecoreSiwo-KulTM

connection cables

…to improve wind turbine output and performance

SPECIAL CABLES

180°C singlecore Siwo-Kul™connection cables These flexible silicone-insulatedsinglecore cables are designedto carry high current in hightemperatures, up to 180°C. They are used as outputconnections for Class H generators, and currentconverter cabinets.

Nexans is supplying all majorMV generator manufacturersworldwide involved in wind turbine technologies.

ACCESSORIES ANDEQUIPMENT

Fiber-optic accessories Nexans produces a full rangeof waterproof and pressurizedclosures to protect, store andsplice fibers. Small boxes havea handy “cassette” system,while larger modules useNexans’ own FiberArt™ splicing frame to simplify andoptimize fiber management.

These modular boxes are solid,reliable and fully-protectedagainst the elements. They areeasy to install and service, andrequire virtually no maintenance.

Medium-voltage connectingsystems and kits For links between the MV switch,transformer and undergroundcables, Nexans’ quality EPDMscreened connectors offerexceptional compactness and reliability and are safewhen touched accidentally by maintenance personnel.

Nexans is widely present inGermany (through Siemens)and accounts for 90% of theUK market. In China, Siemensand ABB are installing Nexanssystems in Inner Mongolia. To optimize its logistics, Alstom Ecotècnia (Spain) haspurchased Nexans prefabricatedand pretested kits.

Low-voltage connectorsAble to withstand thermal cyclingand tower vibration throughouta turbine’s lifetime, our recom-mended systems use a metalliclug with a wraparound rubbersleeve. It offers water tightnessand reliability for connectionsup to 3 kV.

In Germany, Nexans (GPH)supplies thousands of connectorsand sleeves to the leading OEMS.

Ethernet switch for communication and monitoringThis compact and ruggedswitch contains 3 fiber-opticSFP (Small Form FactorPluggable) uplink ports and 8copper ports to realize multipleapplications via one fiber. It is able to supply connecteddevices – like IP cameras,WLAN access points and IPtelephones – with PoE (Power over Internet), andcomes with a copper cablediagnostic monitoring function.

Nexans’ memory card allowsnon-IT maintenance personnelto replace and reconfigure theswitch quickly and inexpensively.This is mainly suited to offshoreturbines .

Sensor andfieldbuscables

Profibuscables

Control cables

Low-voltagealuminium

cables

Low-voltagealuminium

cables

GLOBAL EXPERTISENexans has broad experiencein land-based and offshorewind turbines of all types and sizes. Mastering both LVand MV energy cables and all necessary control cables,we are proven integratorswho can supply complete systems, as well as customizecables and accessories.

LOCAL PRESENCEBecause the wind powerindustry is increasingly global,Nexans has organized its production and delivery logistics to support turbinemanufacturers anywhere inthe world, and that includesobtaining pre-qualification in many countries, and providing interconnectivecommercial off-the-shelf products.

TECHNICAL LEADERSHIPNexans is creating the know-ledge and technology neededto sustain an expanding industrywhich is constantly moving to larger megawatt turbines.Our innovative products areeasy-to-install and have proven their ability to survivefor long periods in extremelytough environments.

Nexans’ WINDLINK®

for sustainablewind energy

Nexans S.A. - 16 rue de Monceau - 75008 Paris - FranceTel: +33 (0)1 56 69 84 00 - Fax: +33 (0)1 56 69 84 84 - www.nexans.com

marcom.info@nexans.com

Global expert in cables and cabling systems

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With energy as the basis of its development, Nexans,the worldwide leader in the cable industry, offers anextensive range of cables and cabling systems. The Groupis a global player in the infrastructure, industry, buildingand Local Area Network markets. Nexans addresses aseries of market segments: from energy, transport andtelecom networks to shipbuilding, oil & gas, nuclear power,automotives, electronics, aeronautics, material handlingand automation. With an industrial presence in more than 30 countriesand commercial activities worldwide, Nexans employs22,000 people and had sales in 2007 of 7.4 billion euros.Nexans is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A.

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