Siemens Gamesa goes bigger and better

 

Siemens Gamesa, the Spanish-German renewable energy giant, has started production of its first B115 wind turbine blades in Aalborg, Denmark. Measuring 115 meters long, the blades will be used as part of the company’s next generation of offshore wind turbine⁠—the ‘SG 14-236 DD’.

 

Using IntegralBlade technology, the massive blades are cast in one piece from fiberglass-reinforced epoxy. This method improves blade strength and reliability as it eliminates the need for glued joints, which create weaker areas. Siemens Gamesa’s B115 blades are also made using a new resin with added recyclability benefits. Once the turbine is decommissioned at the end of its life, the blade materials can be separated and recycled in new applications.

 

See the company’s tweet below to get an idea of just how big 115 meters really is:

 

 

 

the new SG 14-236 DD

 

According to Siemens Gamesa, the SG 14-236 DD is the next step in the energy transition from traditional fossil fuels to renewables. Thanks to its 115-meter long blades, the turbine has a rotor diameter of 236 meters and a swept area of 43,500 sqm, meaning it can harvest more wind and, therefore, more energy. In fact, it delivers 30% more Annual Energy Production (AEP) when compared to its predecessor the SG 11.0-200 DD. The SG 14-236 DD also boasts a sizeable capacity of up to 15 megawatts and a High Wind Ride Through (HWRT) system that stabilizes and protects the turbine during high speed winds.

 

The first B115 blades will be tested on a SG 14-236 DD prototype that will be installed later this year in Oesterild, Denmark. Watch the video at the bottom of the page to see how these gargantuan wind turbines are assembled at sea.

at 115 meters, this is siemens gamesa's longest wind turbine blade to date
images courtesy of Siemens Gamesa

at 115 meters, this is siemens gamesa's longest wind turbine blade to date

 

 

 

project info:

 

company: Siemens Gamesa