Vestas multiplier adds up

Vestas’ multi-rotor wind turbine demonstrator in Denmark has produced “very satisfying” early results, the Danish company has said.

The turbine features four refurbished V29-225kW nacelles mounted on a support structure and was installed at the test site in the spring.

It entered a second test phase in September and is now undergoing unmanned operations.

Vestas R&D worker Erik Carl Lehnskov Miranda said: “In phase two we’re also testing how different wind speeds and accelerations affect the load and vibration patterns, which is a very important part of securing safety and reliability. 

“The influence of the wires on, for example, vibrations and wear across the structure is also an area of great interest”.

Vestas head of innovation Jorge Magalhaes said the company may yet ditch the concept if its does proves its mettle.

“It’s still possible that we’ll have to drop the concept if test results in the second phase turn out not to be satisfactory,” he said. 

“But regardless of the outcome, we’ve gained significant amounts of new and unique knowledge in our continuous efforts to push the limits of wind power. This know-how will benefit us tremendously going forward.”

Image: Vestas