Turbine crews in Hamburg splash

Manufacturers Enercon, Gamesa, GE, Senvion and Siemens are preparing to showcase wind turbine improvements at the massive WindEnergy Hamburg exhibition in the autumn.

The companies are among more than 1200 exhibitors expected at the trade fair, which is combined with the WindEurope annual conference and runs from 27 to 30 September 2016.

Enercon will show off its modular EP4 platform, which features segmented blades and a split generator for eased road transport.

The company has been operating a 4.2MW E126 EP4 prototype in the Netherlands since April, and a 4.2MW low-wind E-141 version is planned for later this year.

The E-141 has a record 141-metre rotor diameter, and a new modular hybrid concrete-steel tower with a maximum 159-metre hub height.

Lagerwey Wind (NL) is to present a direct drive 4MW L136 turbine for IEC class IIA with a 136m rotor and passive air-cooled permanent magnet generator.

It comes with a wide-base modular steel tower and hub heights of 120m, 132m, and 166m. A prototype is planned for the end of 2016 or the first quarter of 2017.

Gamesa will highlight its expanded portfolio of low and medium wind turbines, including the G126-2.5MW for IEC IIIA.

The company will also showcase the G132-3.3MW for IEC IIA, the first model version of a 3MW turbine platform with a prototype planned for mid 2016.

Siemens will provide information on its geared SWT-2.3-120 unit, which is marketed for the US, and a 3.3MW direct drive SWT-3.3-130, especially built for the low and medium wind market in Germany.

General Electric (GE) will update information on its 2MW and 3MW turbine platforms.

The new turbines include a 3.2MW 3.2-130 for IEC IIIA and two 3.4MW models with 130-metre (IEC IIB) and 137m rotor diameter (IEC IIIB).

Envision Energy will highlight its “smart” turbines, including the EN115/2.3MW volume model.

Envision is also partnering with the EU-funded Ecoswing consortium that is developing a compact superconductor generator. It will be fitted in a 3.6MW two-bladed direct drive concept turbine.

Senvion will highlight a new low-wind 3.4MW 3.4M140 EBC turbine model with 140m rotor diameter, and 68.5m long blades.

A prototype is planned for 2017 with series production to start in 2018.

Vestas will showcase a 900kW multi-rotor concept turbine with four rotors and explain other advancements, including the low-wind V136-3.45MW and large diameter steel tower.

Image: Siemens