GE Renewable Energy has introduced its new 4.8–158 onshore wind turbine featuring the largest rotor in the segment and an innovative blade design.
Lauded as GE’s largest high efficiency turbine to date, the 4.8-158 is equipped with a 158 meter rotor and a range of tip heights up to 240 meters which allow it to take advantage of higher wind speeds and produce more energy.
The turbine combines the best of GE’s 2MW and 3MW platforms, including the proven DFIG–doubly-fed induction generator and a robust drivetrain architecture.
According to the company, it also meets a lower standard of noise emission levels, achieving a 104-dB level during normal operations.
Pete McCabe, President & CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind Business said the new 4.8MW wind turbine – GE’s first onshore entry in the 4MW space – features high tech blades, improved loads and controls, and taller, more cost-effective towers – all developed in collaboration with LM Wind Power, Blade Dynamics and GE’s Global Research Centre.
“The 4.8–158 design is an important next step in turbine technology and efficiency, and we’re excited to introduce this turbine at this moment in time,” Mr McCabe said.
“It is well suited for low to medium wind speed regions worldwide—examples include Germany, Turkey and Australia—as well as for mechanisms like auctions, as countries around the world are putting an increased emphasis on lowering the cost of energy.”
He said the 77-meter-long carbon blades will allow GE to offer its customers a high efficiency product while continuing to drive down the levelised cost of electricity (LCOE).
“This turbine is a great example of what we can achieve through the GE Store, combining technology and development with innovative design and expertise from the Global Research Centre, LM Wind Power and Blade Dynamics,” Mr McCabe continued.
“We collected input from more than 30 customers around the world to ensure we are meeting their specific turbine needs with this product as they work to provide lower-cost renewable energy.”
