Vestas has upgraded its EnVentus turbine to a 6MW standard rating and is installing a prototype of the latest version.
The V162-6.0MW prototype turbine is being installed at the Osterild National test centre for large wind turbines in Western Jutland, Denmark.
It will be situated next to the V150-5.6MW prototype that is already upgraded to 6MW.
Following final installation of the V162-6.0MW turbine in mid-October, the prototype will undergo an “extensive test and verification programme to ensure reliability” before serial production commences in the second quarter of 2021.
The upgrade to 6MW delivers an increase in energy production of more than 3% compared to 5.6MW depending on site-specific conditions, Vestas said.
The upgrade is enabled by advancements in load assessment and hardware upgrades specific to generator, gearbox and cooling system, Vestas stated.
Vestas chief technology officer Anders Nielsen said: “With this upgrade, we once again optimise our technology offering and reduce of the cost of energy with our relentless commitment to innovation and product development.
“It marks an important step forward in our journey to realise the potential of our modular EnVentus platform architecture and it is a great achievement by the many Vestas employees involved.”
With tip height up to 250 metres and a swept area of more than 20,000 square metres, the V162-6.0MW applies the largest rotor size in the Vestas portfolio to maximise energy production at low to medium wind sites.