Siemens Energy has installed the prototype of a new four-megawatt (MW) wind turbine in Østerild, Denmark. The new wind turbine type is a designated SWT-4.0 and is based on the proven technology of the SWT-3.6, the world’s most popular offshore wind turbine.
The prototype 4.0 MW turbine is initially equipped with the standard 120 meter rotor of the 3.6 MW turbine but will shortly be upgraded with a 130 meter rotor using 63 meter long rotor blades. Following extensive testing the SWT-4.0-130 will be launched for sale with the 130 meter rotor diameter in spring 2013.
“Thanks to a generator and rotor upgrade, the new 4MW allows our customers a faster return on investment than our proven 3.6 MW wind turbine. We expect this product to further strengthen our leading role on the global offshore wind markets,” says Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technology Officer of the Wind Power Division .
The SWT-4.0-130 extends the performance of the proven Siemens SWT-3.6 wind turbine, which is already established as the preferred offshore turbine type in the multi-megawatt class. So far, Siemens has installed almost 500 of its 3.6 MW wind turbines and has another 1,200 turbines in its order backlog.
The new Siemens SWT-4.0-130 makes use of several key technologies that are well-proven in offshore applications of the market-leading Siemens 3.6 MW turbine. The nacelle and tower structures are essentially upgraded 3.6 MW variants, and the blades are manufactured using the proven Siemens IntegralBlade® technology without glue joints. New technologies of the SWT-4.0-130 include the new aeroelastically tailored 63 meter (B63) blade featuring improved performance and reduced loads. Serial production of the SWT-4.0-130 is planned for 2015.
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Press release, December 19, 2012; Image: Siemens