Next generation offshore wind turbines
The past few years have been notable for the launch of a number of new generation offshore turbines. Predominantly, these are set to come into production around 2015 in time for the UK's 33GW Round 3 offshore projects.
Windpower Monthly technical writer Eize de Vries has examined these new products and spoken to the designers
Close up - GE's 4.0-110 offshore wind turbine
Windpower Monthly technical writer Eize de Vries examines the development and design of GE's upcoming 4MW offshore turbine.
Close up - the Vestas V164 7MW offshore turbine
Windpower Monthly technical writer Eize de Vries talks to president Vestas technology R&D, Finn Ström Madsen, about Vestas' first offshore specific wind turbine, the V164 7MW.
Close up - the Nordex N150/6000 offshore turbine
Windpower Monthly technical writer Eize de Vries spoke with Nordex chief technical officer Eberhard Voss about the technology and the challenges developing the manufacturer's latest flagship product, the N150/6000.
Close up - Siemens' SWT-6.0 120 offshore turbine
This year, Vestas, Alstom, GE and Nordex have all unveiled plans for next-generation offshore wind turbines. Now Siemens Wind Power can add its name to the list with the SWT-6.0 120 its new 6MW direct drive product. WIndpower Monthly technical writer Eize de Vries went to the company’s Brande headquarters to speak with and get an exclusive introduction to the wind turbine via Siemens chief technology officer Henrik Stiesdal.
Close up - Turbine upgrade fuels offshore ambition
GERMANY: Repower's 6M offshore turbine aims to build on the success of its 5MW predecessor, one of the largest at its launch in 2004. Eize de Vries climbs into a prototype to see what makes these big turbines different from their competitors and weighs up the company's plans.
Two blades - Condor Wind's 5MW offshore turbine
Condor Wind Energy, based in the UK, is at an advanced stage of developing a two-bladed, 5 MW offshore wind turbine aimed at substantially driving down costs of energy compared to current three-bladed designs.
Close up - Alstom Haliade 150 - 6MW offshore turbine
Armed with a 6MW direct-drive turbine and budget for two manufacturing centres, Alstom has big plans for the offshore wind sector. Windpower Monthly technical writer Eize de Vries spoke with Alstom Wind's vice president for Offshore Frédéric Hendrick about key challenges, technology and other choices aimed at becoming a leading offshore wind-industry player.