1 MACHINE, 6 MEGAWATTS

Siemens starts operating its first 6 megawatt wind turbine; Low weight design of SWT-6.0-120 will reduce costs for future offshore wind projects
June 9, 2011 (Siemens)

"Siemens Energy has installed the first prototype of its next generation offshore wind turbine in Høvsøre, Denmark, and… initiated the first trial operation. The new SWT-6.0-120 wind turbine with a power rating of 6 megawatts (MW) and a rotor diameter of 120 metres uses the innovative Siemens direct drive and proven rotor technology. Nacelle and rotor of the SWT-6.0-120 weigh together less than 350 tons, setting a new low-weight standard for large offshore machines.

"The new SWT-6.0-120 is the third direct drive wind turbine type developed by Siemens…The low weight of the SWT-6.0-120 wind turbine will contribute to a significant reduction in the cost of energy for offshore wind power plants. The low weight positively impacts the costs of the turbine itself, but also that of the tower and the support structures…"

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"The new Siemens SWT-6.0-120 makes use of several key technologies that are well-proven in offshore applications…[by the] Siemens 3.6 MW turbine…[including] the same proven B58 blade… Other proven technologies employed…include the Siemens IntegralBlade® design for blades manufactured without glue joints.

"The SWT-6.0-120…features the Siemens advanced diagnostics systems to reduce customer risk and enable maximum reliability and availability. A particular offshore feature is a helicopter-hoisting platform which is integrated in the nacelle rear and allows easy and safe access for service technicians."

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"The first 6MW prototype will now undergo an extensive commissioning and trial operation process before being released for automatic operation. During 2011, Siemens will install additional prototypes of the SWT-6.0-120 wind turbines for further testing and validation. A number of pre-series 6 MW wind turbines will be installed during 2012 and 2013 for further tests and optimization of the turbine performance. Serial production is planned for 2014.

"Over the last 20 years, Siemens has successfully installed more than 600 offshore wind turbines with a combined capacity of more than 1,800 MW in European waters…[It also has] a secured order backlog for further offshore projects with a total capacity of about 3,600 MW…Electricity from offshore wind power plants is expected to make a major contribution toward a clean and sustainable power supply…"