New turbine certified
The prototype of Gamesa's new 4.5 megawatt G128 has posted a new record at a test field in Jaulin near Zaragosa, Spain. On November 7, it generated 97.34 megawatt-hours in a single day with 100 percent availability. The Spanish firm has also announced that GL Renewables Certification has certified the machine.
For the third time this year, the prototype in Jaulín has posted a record level of power production, nearly reaching the 98.26 megawatt-hours posted over a 24-hour period on June 1, 2011. The maximum possible amount of power is 108 megawatt-hours. Since the beginning of the year, the turbine has already exported more than six gigawatt-hours to the Spanish grid, with an average availability exceeding 97 percent.
With a rotor diameter of 128 meters and an output of 4.5 megawatts, the new G128 has a 120 meter tower and rotor blades whose diameter exceeds 62.5 meters. The manufacturer says that transport and assembly are relatively straightforward because the blades can be taken apart and reassembled on site. For the tower, the firm came up with a hybrid solution of concrete and steel prefab modules, which are also assembled on site. The nacelle is shipped separately and installed on top of the finished tower as with a standard turbine, and the transformer and cooling system are connected on site. The drive train and generator are then installed in a special system.
At the same time, the firm announced that the new multi-megawatt turbine now has IEC WT 01 certification from GL Renewables Certification, which will probably make it more interesting to investors – and hence easier to sell.
In its press release, Gamesa says the turbine's validation process was especially comprehensive, covering 618 component tests in 100 labs and test centers. A total of 300,000 engineer hours were reportedly required. The new turbine is to go into serial production in 2012. The firm will make the main components at its own plants in Spain and says that it has already received queries for the new turbine. Gamesa is, however, considering having the turbine manufactured in other markets as well, such as the US and China, depending on demand. (Regine Krüger / Craig Morris)
