Vestas Wind Systems has been able to increase the size of its giant V164 wind turbine due to recent technological developments that they have made.
Vestas announced that the technology has reached a level that allows them to increase the V164 to 8MW, enabling it to generate energy at a lower cost, whilst still leaving the reliability and the structural integrity of the turbine intact.
Anders Vedel, the Executive Vice President and CTO for Vestas, said that, "as we progressed in the technology development it was clear that an 8 MW version of the turbine will offer lower cost of energy and at the same time keep the reliability and structural integrity of the turbine unchanged."
The whole unit is progressing well, and the plan is still to install the first V164 sometime in 2014.
The mould for the 80 metre blades is ready and waiting at testing facilities on the Isle of White, UK, with the first blade expected to be ready for testing during the last quarter of this year. The prototype hub has been already cast and is now just waiting to be tested, and the generator and gear box are expected to be ready for testing by the begging of 2013.
Vedel confirmed that, "we are getting closer to installation of the prototype every day, and it is very satisfying to see the first major parts of the V164-8.0 MW under completion. This turbine is truly going to be a game changer. When you stand beside the blade mould for the 80 metre long blades you can really sense the scale of the turbine."
By. James Burgess of Oilprice.com
James Burgess studied Business Management at the University of Nottingham. He has worked in property development, chartered surveying, marketing, law, and accounts. He has also… More