Siemens Gamesa has secured rotor-nacelle assembly IEC type certificate covering resistance to extreme wind conditions for its 11MW machine.
TUV NORD issued the certification for the SG 11.0-200 DD offshore wind turbine, which joins the SG 8.0-167 DD offshore wind turbine, as being recognised as being able to with withstand typhoon- or T-class wind speeds, said the manufacturer.
The SG 11.0-200 DD turbine has a rated capacity of 11MW and a 200-metre diameter rotor using 97-metre long Siemens Gamesa B97 IntegralBlades.
The SG 8.0-167 DD wind turbine has a rated capacity of 8MW and a 167-metre diameter rotor with a 167-metre diameter, using 81-metre long Siemens Gamesa B81 IntegralBlades.
The two products use the same patented Siemens Gamesa direct drive generator technology.
Both turbines, along with the larger SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine, are designed to sustain withstand extreme wind conditions such as those covered by T-Class compliance.
Under the certification turbines must be able to withstand 57 metres per second for 10 minutes and three-second gusts of up to 79.8 metres per second.
“We’re tremendously proud to have received this second rotor-nacelle assembly type certification. With the region poised to become even more significant globally, it strengthens our focus on delivering value to our customers,” said Marc Becker, Siemens Gamesa offshore business unit CEO.
Over 1200 units of the offshore direct drive platform are installed and operating across the world, including the Formosa 1 project in Taiwan.
In addition to T-Class wind speed compliance, Siemens Gamesa is working closely with local authorities and certifying bodies to ensure that all applicable standards are considered.
For example, the company is part of the international Alleviating Cyclone and Earthquake challenges for wind farms joint industry project.
The initiative aims at gathering cross-industry experiences to align wind turbine design methodologies for extreme environmental conditions.
Siemens Gamesa has also been developing its offshore platform to operate in both high and low ambient temperatures, reducing thermal limitation and increasing annual energy production while preserving turbine lifetime.