Renewables, Wind

GE unveils its largest onshore wind turbine

GE Renewable Energy has unveiled its new 4.8–158 onshore wind turbine, its largest high-efficiency turbine to date.

The new 4.8MW wind turbine, GE’s first onshore entry in the 4MW space, is equipped with 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 produce more energy.

The 77-metre carbon blades leverage the material innovations and knowhow of LM Wind Power, and are their longest onshore blades to date.

The rotor can be adapted to a variety of conditions with customized carbon blades, depending on customer and site requirements. The blades also feature one of the industry’s smallest bolt circle diameters, keeping manufacturing and logistical costs to a minimum.

GE Onshore Wind Business president and CEO Pete McCabe 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 around the world — 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.”

GE’s latest turbine features high tech blades, improved loads and controls, and taller, more cost-effective towers developed through partnerships with LM Wind Power, Blade Dynamics and GE’s Global Research Centre.

The turbine meets a lower standard of noise emission levels, achieving a 104-dB level during normal operations. The newly-designed machine head reduces the needs for a larger crane while facilitating up-tower repairs and troubleshooting with its up-tower electrical system.

 

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