By Kari Williamson
The offshore wind turbine will be available with rotor diameters of 120 and 154 m, featuring the Siemens direct drive design. The tower-head, weights approximately 350 tonnes.
"We expect the SWT-6.0 turbine to become the new standard for offshore wind power projects around the globe. With its smart design and low weight, the SWT-6.0 will contribute significantly to the reduction of the cost of energy for offshore wind power,” says Henrik Stiesdal, Chief Technology Officer at the Siemens Wind Power Division.
The entire electrical system of the 6 MW offshore wind turbine – including the medium voltage system and the full converter – is now enclosed in the nacelle, enabling faster onshore pre-commissioning testing and quicker commissioning.
A helicopter-hoisting platform is integrated in the nacelle rear allowing easy and safe access for service technicians.
The SWT-6.0-154 features the largest rotor blade in the 6 MW class, using the B75 Quantum Blade – a 75 m long blade designed with unique airfoils.
The SWT-6.0-120 is equipped with the B58 rotor blade. The 58 m long blade is known from the offshore wind turbine, SWT-3.6-120. The SWT-6.0-120 offshore wind turbine can be used in areas where air traffic and height restrictions ordinarily preclude wind turbine installations of the 6 MW class, Siemens says.
The first prototype of the Siemens 6-megawatt turbine was installed in May, 2011 at Høvsøre, Denmark. Siemens is currently in the process of thoroughly testing and validating the performance of the turbine. And a pre-series of up to 50 SWT-6.0 offshore wind turbines will be installed at on- and offshore sites in Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and in the UK during 2012 and 2013.
