The below shows trends by year of the typical largest turbine sizes targeted for mainstream commercial production. Megawatt turbines existed in the 1980s but almost all were research prototypes. An exception was the Howden 1 MW design (erected at Richborough in the UK), a production prototype, which was not replicated due to Howden withdrawing from the wind business in 1988. Although there is much more active consideration of larger designs than indicated in Figure 1.11, no larger turbines have appeared since 2004.

Up until around 2000 an ever-increasing (in fact mathematically exponential) growth in turbine size over time had taken place among manufacturers and was a general industry trend. In the past three or four years, although there is still an interest in yet larger turbines for the offshore market, there has been a slowdown in the growth of turbine size at the centre of the main, land-based market and a focus on increased volume supply in the 1.5 to 3 MW range.

The early small sizes, around 20-60 kW, were very clearly not optimum for system economics. Small wind turbines remain much more expensive per kW installed than large ones, especially if the prime function is to produce grid quality electricity. This is partly because towers need to be higher in proportion to diameter in order to clear obstacles to wind flow and escape the
worst conditions of turbulence and wind shear near the surface of the earth. But it is primarily because controls, electrical connection to grid and maintenance are a much higher proportion of the capital value of the system in small turbines than in larger ones.

Onshore technology is now dominated by turbines in the 1.5 and 2 MW range. However, a recent resurgence in the market for turbines of around 800 kW is interesting and it remains unclear, for land-based projects, what objectively is the most cost-effective size of wind
turbine. The key factor in continuing quest for size into the multi-megawatt range has been the development of an offshore market. For offshore applications, optimum overall economics, even at higher cost per kW in the units themselves, requires larger turbine units to make up for the proportionally higher costs of infrastructure (foundations, electricity collection and sub-sea transmission) and number of units to access and maintain per kW of installed capacity.

The Future

7.5 MW "Britannia" Project Draws Support from U.K.’s One NorthEast Regional Development Agency As Clipper Establishes UK Base

http://www.clipperwind.com/pr_100807.html

UpWind is a European project funded under the EU’s Sixth Framework Progamme (FP6). The project looks towards the wind power of tomorrow, more precisely towards the design of very large wind turbines (8-10MW), both onshore and offshore.

http://www.upwind.eu/default.aspx

MAGENN AIR ROTOR SYSTEM (M.A.R.S.)

Magenn Power’s high altitude wind turbine called MARS is a Wind Power Anywhere™ solution with distinct advantages over existing Conventional Wind Turbines and Diesel Generating Systems including: global deployment, lower costs, better operational performance, and greater environmental advantages.

MARS is a lighter-than-air tethered wind turbine that rotates about a horizontal axis in response to wind, generating electrical energy. This electrical energy is transferred down the 1000-foot tether for immediate use, or to a set of batteries for later use, or to the power grid. Helium sustains MARS and allows it to ascend to a higher altitude than traditional wind turbines. MARS captures the energy available in the 600 to 1000-foot low level and nocturnal jet streams that exist almost everywhere. MARS rotation also generates the "Magnus effect" which provides additional lift, keeps the MARS stabilized, and positions it within a very controlled and restricted location to adhere to FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) & Transport Canada guidelines.

http://www.magenn.com/

Popularity: 1%

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