Goldwind, a Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, has launched a new permanent magnet direct-drive (PMDD) wind turbine designed for ultra-low wind speeds, areas where the annual average wind speed is less than 6.5 m/s.
It has worked to develop a range of custom wind turbines for use in a diverse number of operating environments. Goldwind offers low wind speed, high altitude, low temperature, high temperature, offshore and tidal PMDD series.
PMDD turbines use a permanent magnet generator and a full power converter which help them to meet national grid connection requirements and achieve zero voltage ride-through standards.
The 1.5MW ultra-low wind speed PMDD turbine boasts the "highest generation efficiency", enabling it to generate power of more than 2000 standard hours per year based on an annual average wind speed of 5.5 m/s. The first prototype will be installed in Zhucheng, Shandong at the end of April.
Goldwind stated that "the group's latest R&D achievement leverages its well-established 1.5MW PMDD turbine platform as the foundation for a new series with power generation efficiency that is among the highest in the industry."
Turbine developers are looking to provide for the low wind speed market which is rapidly growing as the standard high wind speed areas are becoming rarer and rarer, especially in Europe. Low wind speed turbines will allow wind farms to be constructed close to populated areas.
Last week the Spanish manufacturer Gamesa launched a 2MW model which it plans to market in India, Brazil and China.
By. Joao Peixe of Oilprice.com
Joao is a writer for Oilprice.com More