GE is to build the world’s tallest wind turbines for German company Max Bogl in an innovative combined power plant that also features pumped storage hydro.
The manufacturer will supply four of its new 3.4-137 hardware at the Gaildorf project to sit atop 40-metre high water reservoirs, providing a total tip height of 246.5 metres.
The hydro element is being supplied under a separate agreement between Max Bogl, Naturspeicher and Voith. Turbines are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2017 and the full power plant is expected to be operational by the end of 2018.
GE said Gaildorf “marks a major step forward in balancing power demand and supply fluctuations using renewable energy sources”.
Water pumped into the turbine bases will be released when required to power a 16MW generator some 200 metres downhill. “The net effect will be to use the stored hydro capacity to balance the intermittent nature of wind power through the optimal use of energy at different times of the day,” said the manufacturer.
GE onshore wind chief Anne McEntee said: “We are very excited to collaborate with Max Bögl on this pilot project; a first for the industry. We are committed to exploring innovative renewable energy technologies that have the potential to improve grid flexibility in Europe and around the world.”
Image: GE’s 3MW platform (GE)
GE stretched in wind-hydro tie-up
World's tallest turbines will help power pump-storage in 2018
By EBS