Turbine manufacturer Nordex USA, Inc. will debut its new N117/2400 model for the US market at AWEA’s Windpower show in Anaheim, California from May 22-25, 2011. The latest addition to the company’s Gamma Generation of turbines, the N117 is designed for light-wind sites, creating new power generating potential for locations across the country.
“The N117 will help increase America’s total wind potential by turning many light wind sites into viable power producing locations,” says Ralf Sigrist, President and CEO of Nordex USA. “That means yet another step forward in making wind energy a highly competitive alternative even for light wind speed locations.”
With a nominal output of 2.4-MW, a rotor diameter of 117m and a rotor sweep of 10,751 square meters, the N117 is the highest-yielding IEC 3 turbine in its class. At a typical site it will achieve a capacity of over 3,500 full-load hours, outperforming other turbines in this category by up to 20%. This translates into a capacity factor of 40%.
The acoustic power level is limited to a maximum of 105 decibels, allowing the turbine to be used closer to residential areas and facilitating optimal turbine layout at wind farms. Its hub height on a standard tower of 91m remains below the FAA threshold of 500 ft.
Nordex will begin producing the N117 at its new US manufacturing plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas, which opened in October 2010. Nordex turbines made in the US contain more than 75% domestic content.
The company achieved additional increases in turbine yield through its two new efficiency packages. The first package optimized the interaction of the core components, boosting the yield by more than 2%. The second package, which increases the yield by another 2.6%, adds the Nordex Advanced Power (AP) module to the Nordex Control operation management system. Nordex AP measures air density in addition to wind speed and direction. Using this third parameter the management system adjusts the generator to optimal effect, producing greater yields at light and moderate wind speeds. Nordex AP is available for all turbines delivered from mid 2011.
Nordex www.nordex-online.com
Filed Under: Turbines
