Gamesa launched the first model from its new 3.3-MW platform, designed specifically for medium wind speeds. The new G132-3.3 MW was presented this week at EWEA 2015 in Paris.

The new platform builds from the technology proven in the company’s 2.0-MW and 2.5-MW platforms by leveraging the same mechanical and electrical systems but boosting nominal capacity to 3.3 MW. The new turbine also comes in four different tower heights, ranging from 84 to 134 meters, so that it can be tailored for each region’s specific requirements.

“This new product is the only turbine in the market designed for medium wind speeds, which combines a 132-m rotor with nominal unit capacity of 3.3 MW. This guarantees an optimal capacity factor and, by extension, maximizing output,” explained José Antonio Malumbres, Gamesa’s Chief Technology Officer. “A team of 50 engineers located all over the world is working on the development of this new turbine that will absorb over 150,000 engineering hours and 86 technological innovations patented by Gamesa.”

The blade is made from fiberglass and stretches 64.5 meters and features a new family of aerodynamic edges, which increases the annual output and minimizes noise emissions.

As a result of this combination of technologies, the G132-3.3 MW delivers 50% and 30% more energy than the G114-2.0 MW and G114-2.5 MW respectively (both also turbines for class II winds).

These turbines not only produce more energy in medium wind speed conditions, they also contribute to the effort to contain climate change: a wind farm equipped with ten G132-3.3 MW turbines would generate sufficient equivalent energy to supply a town of around 50,000 inhabitants and prevent the emission of 49,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide (equivalent to the emissions of 16,500 cars).

The first G132-3.3 MW prototype will be installed in mid-2016, while serial production is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2017. The company expects to secure type certification by 2017.

Gamesa
www.gamesacorp.com