Special Issue on ‘Large Grid-Connected Wind Turbines’

The renewable energy penetration rate to the power grid is rapidly increasing these days. As per the statistics available in 2018, the total renewable power capacity is 1,081 GW, excluding hydropower. Wind, solar, biomass, tidal and geothermal are considered as the prime renewable sources in generating electric power, while wind energy is the most attractive one dominating the energy market. In 2017, 52 GW of wind power was added globally, making a total of 539 GW, which is more than 50% of the total power generated from various renewable resources. China, the United States, Germany, India and Spain are the top five countries investing most in the wind energy sector. Among many wind turbine manufacturers, Vestas, Siemens-Gamesa and GE have captured the majority of the wind market in 2017, having a market share of 16.7%, 16.6%, and 7.6%, respectively.
Because of the growing nature of wind energy penetration, large scale wind turbines are getting popular, especially in offshore wind farms. In June 2017, MHI Vestas, a joint venture between Vestas and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, launched a 9.5 MW offshore turbine, which is currently the world’s largest wind turbine as of today, and it has been scheduled for 10 MW. Standing 187 meters tall and with 80-meter blades, this wind turbine is an upgraded version of MHI Vestas’ 8 MW V164 turbine, which is already in operation at the Burbo Bank Extension and Blyth offshore wind farms in Britain. Seeing the bright future of the large scale wind turbine, GE has recently introduced the Haliade-X 12 MW, which will be the most powerful offshore wind turbine in the world to date, featuring a 12 MW capacity, 220-meter rotor, and a 107-meter blade. The Haliade-X will also be the most efficient of wind turbines in the ocean having a capacity factor of 63%—which of course will be dependent on wind conditions. This turbine is expected to be commissioned for trial by the middle of 2019.