GE Renewable Energy unveils its largest onshore wind turbine

• 6 years ago (2017-09-14)
• David Flin

North America 998 Wind 239

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GE Renewable Energy has unveiled its new 4.8-158 onshore wind turbine, GE’s largest high efficiency turbine to date. GE said that the turbine features an innovative blade design, and offers a significant improvement in Annual Energy Production (AEP), reducing the cost of energy in low and medium wind speed sites.

Pete McCabe, President and CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind Business, said: “The 4.8-158 design is an important next step in turbine technology and efficiency. It is well suited for low to medium wind speed regions – 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.”

The new 4.8 MW wind turbine, GE’s first onshore entry in this range, has a 158 metre rotor and a range of tip heights up to 240 metres. The combination of a larger rotor and tall towers enables the turbine to take advantage of higher wind speeds and generate more energy.

GE said that the turbine features high tech blades, improved loads and controls, and taller, more cost-effective towers. It said that these features have been developed as a result of close partnerships with LM Wind Power, Blade Dynamics, and GE’s Global Research Centre.

The 77 metre long carbon blades are the longest onshore blades to date from LM Wind Power. These carbon blades will enable flexibility, allowing GE to offer customers a high efficiency product while driving down LCOE. The blades also feature one of the industry’s smallest Bolt Circle Diameters, keeping manufacturing and logistical costs to a minimum.