Nordex Group has unveiled a new N163/6MW-plus turbine for its product portfolio.
The German manufacturer said that compared with its sister model, the N163/5.X, the new N163/6.X is able to produce an up to 7% higher annual energy yield thanks to its much higher rated output.
“Its flexibility and a large number of operating modes mean that wind farms can be individually adapted to the customer’s respective business model in terms of output, capacity factor, service life and sound emission requirements,” Nordex said.
The N163/6.X has a design lifetime of 25 years, but also comes with an extended lifetime for specific sites for up to 35 years.
Nordex said the new turbine has a more efficient gearbox to achieve the higher rated output and the electrical system of the Delta4000 product series has been adapted by raising the nominal voltage and using an improved cooling system.
The exterior dimensions of the nacelle have not been changed, the company said.
Nordex said the turbine has a stronger version of the approximately 80-metre rotor blade from the N163/5.X, based on the proven GRP/carbon differential design.
Lower rotation speed means that the noise emission levels of the N163/6.X stand at a maximum of 106.4 dB(A).
The N163/6.X is designed for moderate and light-wind regions, but focusses on selected core markets in Europe, Nordex said.
The start of series production of the N163/6.X is scheduled for the beginning of 2023.
Nordex said it has already received the first orders for the N163/6.X.
Nordex chief executive Jose Luis Blanco said: “Our turbines in the Delta4000 series are based on a standard technical platform. Consistent modularisation means that type-specific components, such as rotor blades or gearboxes, can be adapted for different variants.
“The N163/6.X is yet another example of how highly efficient solutions that have proved successful in practice can be specifically implemented for special geographic regions.”
The company said the turbine will be available with different tower variants depending on the market and have a height of up to 164 metres.
A cold climate version and an advanced anti-icing system for rotor blades are also planned as options for the N163/6.X.