GE Renewable Energy confirms that the blade for for Haliade-X 12-MW wind turbine has arrived at ORE Catapult’s testing facilities in Blyth in the North East of England. The blade features a 220-meter rotor, a 107-meter blade — the longest ever manufactured.
The first Haliade-X 107-meters blade that arrives safely in the UK.
In the next year, the LM Wind Power blade will undergo a full range of advanced testing procedures (including static and fatigue) that will demonstrate the blade’s ability to withstand peak wind conditions and to simulate the blade’s readiness for years of operation at sea.
As announced last June, the Haliade-X 12-MW nacelle and blades are going to be tested at ORE Catapult’s testing facilities, as part of an advanced technology testing program that will focus on enhancing the Haliade-X platform before it enters into serial production in 2021.
The Haliade-X nacelle (comparable to six double-decker London buses), will later undergo a program that will replicate real-world operational conditions to reduce the time required to validate performance and reliability.
The production of the LM 107.0 P blade represents a milestone for the entire wind industry, as the first wind turbine blade to surpass 100 meters in length.
“LM Wind Power has broken the size record once again with this 107-meter blade. We are proud to begin its global validation program in the UK, where we have a long term strategic partnership with ORE Catapult to test new products, including our previous record-breaking blade at 88.4 meters in length,” said Hanif Mashal, LM Wind Power Vice President of Engineering.
GE Renewable Energy is investing close to £15 million in testing and research & development activities for the Haliade-X, primarily in the UK. In addition to the nacelle and blade testing program, GE Renewable Energy and ORE Catapult are also developing the ‘Stay Ashore!’ program, which aims to reduce the time people spend at sea, increasing safety and helping to reduce the cost of energy by focusing on developing technology in robotics, digital and remote operations.
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