Siemens Gamesa has unveiled a new offshore wind turbine that can provide electricity to thousands of households. The innovative material used in the turbine’s rotors also simplifies recycling. Offshore wind power is a crucial component of Europe’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources, and Siemens Gamesa’s SG 14-236 DD turbine is set to make a significant contribution. With a rotor diameter of 236 meters and a rotor length of 115 meters, the turbine covers an area of 43,500 square meters and has a nominal capacity of 14 megawatts, with the potential to generate up to 15 megawatts in strong winds. The new turbine produces 30% more electricity than Siemens Gamesa’s previous models and can power up to 18,000 average households under optimal conditions.
The rotors of the SG 14-236 DD are made of a glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin, a new material developed by Siemens Gamesa in collaboration with Indian company Aditya Birla Advanced Materials. This material solves the problem of recycling the rotors, which were previously made of glass fiber-reinforced plastic and could not be disposed of in landfills at the end of their lifespan. The first 236-meter turbine is set to be completed in 2022 and will be installed at the Østerild wind turbine test field on the north coast of Jutland, with serial production beginning in 2024.
Siemens Gamesa’s new turbine is a significant step forward in the development of offshore wind power, with the potential to provide clean energy to thousands of households while also simplifying the recycling process. The company’s collaboration with Aditya Birla Advanced Materials has resulted in a new material that solves a significant environmental problem, and the SG 14-236 DD is set to make a significant contribution to Europe’s transition to renewable energy sources.
