Designed to improve annual energy production (AEP), the new wind turbine is installed with a 158m rotor and various tip heights up to 240m.
The 4.8-158 onshore wind turbine is a combination of larger rotor and tall towers, which allows to catch higher wind speeds and generate more energy.
The new turbine, which features advanced blades, improved loads and controls, has been developed by LM Wind Power, Blade Dynamics and GE's Global Research Center.
New turbine’s 77m long carbon blades are claimed to feature the industry's smallest bolt circle diameters, which will allow to reduce manufacturing and logistical costs.
With DFIG–doubly-fed induction generator and advanced drivetrain architecture, the new turbine can achieve a 104-dB level during normal operations.
The newly-designed machine head will help to avoid the use of a larger crane through facilitating up-tower repairs and troubleshooting with its up-tower electrical system.
GE's onshore wind business president and CEO Pete McCabe said: "The 4.8–158 design is an important next step in turbine technology and efficiency, and we're excited to introduce this turbine at this moment in time.
“It is well suited for low to medium wind speed regions worldwide—examples include Germany, Turkey and Australia—as well as for mechanisms like auctions, as countries around the world are putting an increased emphasis on lowering the cost of energy.
"This turbine is a great example of what we can achieve through the GE Store, combining technology and development with innovative design and expertise from the Global Research Center, LM Wind Power and Blade Dynamics.”
Image: GE’s 4.8MW onshore wind turbine. Photo: courtesy of General Electric.
