Siemens 6 MW direct drive wind turbine in trials
29 June 2011
Siemens has developed a 6MW wind turbine fitted with an innovative direct drive and therefore not requiring a gearbox. Altogether, the nacelle and the rotor blades (with a rotor diameter of 120 meters) weigh less than 350 metric tons. Trials to assess its performance and availability are now being conducted on a prototype installed off the Danish coast.
If everything proceeds according to schedule, the SWT-6.0-120 wind turbine should enter series production in 2014.
To date, high-output wind turbines have tended to be disproportionately heavy compared to systems of a lower rating. The SWT-6.0-120, by contrast, weighs only as much as a conventional wind turbine in the 2-3 MW category. The use of extremely strong construction techniques has also reduced the cost of the turbine itself as well as of the tower and the foundations. This in turn will further lower the cost of power generated by offshore wind turbines.
The SWT-6.0-120 is also designed for easy servicing and low maintenance. This includes safer and simple access via a service platform mounted at the rear of the nacelle, to which technicians can be lowered from a helicopter. At the same time, enhanced diagnostic methods reduce the risk of downtime and increase the system’s reliability and therefore its availability.
In the course of the pilot production phase, additional turbines are to be installed over the next two years in order to enhance performance and reliability. To date, Siemens has installed more than 600 wind turbines in European waters, with a combined output of 1,800 MW.
AWWW YEA YEAH!
B I G G E R
S T I L L
I S
B E T T E R !!!
Posted by: ejj | 29 June 2011 at 03:32 PM
This is rather a case of more with less. Siemens has done much to reduce the size and weight of e-motors and generators. We may benefit by learning how it is done instead of trying to make fun of serious developers.
Posted by: HarveyD | 29 June 2011 at 06:09 PM
I question "To date, high-output wind turbines have tended to be disproportionately heavy compared to systems of a lower rating" .
Or more like when "GM says deceleration fuel cutoff in Cruze increases fuel economy by up to 2%" like it's NEW ?
They should just be proud that they are a leader in the large size, more efficiency class.
The B747 and A380 were evolutionary advances in "bigger is better" - and wind turbines are not limited by terminal apron size, passenger terminal size or "not that many people want to go there at one time".
I suspect it just takes the will, the money and evolutionary engineering advances.
And in windmills - I mean wind turbines - I think bigger is/will be better.
This is good.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 29 June 2011 at 08:16 PM
Enercon already has a 7.5 MW turbine (the E126).
Posted by: clett | 30 June 2011 at 01:28 AM
Aha, so they had to craft their press release cleverly, or just say nothing
(or maybe both).
Posted by: ToppaTom | 30 June 2011 at 06:35 AM
Direct drive, lower speed, higher power (10+ MW) wind turbines have many advantages over smaller units. When coupled with 2+ electronically controlled in-line generators, they produce more power at very low and very high wind speeds. Lower speed means less noise and less disturbance for birds since they quickly learn to avoid the slow turning blades. Their ground foot print per Megawatt is much lower and farm land in the area is positively affected. Less insecticide is required.
Better designed, lighter, larger wind turbines have a bright future. They may even compete with cheap coal power plants, specially when the cost of CO2 emissions and other pollutants are figured in.
Posted by: HarveyD | 30 June 2011 at 09:23 AM
"This includes safer and simple access via a service platform mounted at the rear of the nacelle, to which technicians can be lowered from a helicopter."
Crikey! That doesn't sound like your average techo job. At least they're providing a new employment path for unemployed rescue workers.
Posted by: Biff | 30 June 2011 at 05:41 PM
I bet it's easier to get on a platform from a chopper than to try to board a landing from a small boat dealing with ocean swells.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 01 July 2011 at 02:52 AM
Gentlemen, while wind will remain a viable sector of the new alternative energy distribution scheme - it's inherent limitations will keep it in the 3-5% energy mix category.
There are now open paths to the abundant energy we know exists throughout the universe. Wind is too intrusive, intermittent and expensive to compete with excess heat appliances in the home.
Good bye fossil fuel.
Posted by: Reel$$ | 01 July 2011 at 07:40 PM
And where does the excess heat from these appliances come from? Burning fairy dust?
To be a successful troll, you've got to be distinguishable from comic relief.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 02 July 2011 at 07:05 AM