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Soitec CPV plant powers COP17 climate talks
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Soitec CPV plant powers COP17 climate talks
Siemens launches 6 MW turbine
S
IEMENS ENERGY has launched a 6 MW direct drive offshore wind turbine at the European Offshore Wind Energy Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The new SWT-6.0 will be available with rotor diametres of 120 and 154 metres and is designed for offshore sites. Siemens reports that the turbine is in the direct drive class, with “50 per cent fewer parts than comparable geared wind turbines”. With a towerhead mass of roughly 350 tonnes, the company claims that the SWT-6.0 is the lightest machine in its class: “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”, said Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology officer of the Siemens Wind Power Division. The turbine is offered with two different rotor blades. The SWT-6.0-154 features what Siemens says is the largest rotor blade in the 6-MW class, the new B75 Quantum Blade. This 75 metre long blade delivers “enormous strength at low weight”, and “unique airfoils” offer performance at a wide range of wind speeds. Meanwhile the SWT-6.0-120 is equipped with the B58 rotor blade – the 58 metre long blade used in the
6
November/December 2011 | Renewable Energy Focus
Siemens SWT-3.6-120. According to a statement, “the SWT-6.0-120 will bring direct drive technology to customers offshore, even in areas where air traffic and height restrictions ordinarily preclude wind turbine installations of the 6-MW class”. The entire electrical system of the new 6-MW machine – including the medium voltage system and the full converter – is enclosed in the nacelle, and the nacelle also incorporates a helicopter-hoisting platform, allowing access for service technicians. The nacelle houses fewer parts than geared wind turbines, says Siemens, and so gives technicians easier access to key components. The first prototype of the Siemens 6-megawatt turbine was installed in May, 2011 at Høvsøre, Denmark. Siemens is currently in the process of testing and validating the performance of the turbine: “The testing has confirmed our calculations”, said cto Henrik Stiesdal. A pre-series of up to 50 SWT-6.0 wind turbines will be installed at on- and offshore sites in Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and in the UK during 2012 and 2013. Wind Power is part of Siemens’ environmental portfolio. In fiscal 2011, revenue from the Portfolio totalled around €30 billion.
Soitec has built a Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) power plant near Durban, South Africa, as a “flagship project” for the 17th annual Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held during 28 November to 9 December. The 500 kW solar-energy facility, which will power the COP17 global gathering, was officially inaugurated by South African President Dr. Jacob. G. Zuma on 4 December. Soitec worked closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa and the local eThekwini Municipality to build the CPV solar plant, which feeds into the area’s power-supply grid. The plant was constructed in one month, using the combination of Soitec’s international expertise and the local work force. Group Five, an integrated construction services, materials and infrastructure investment group operating in Africa, was the local construction partner for the project. “CPV offers South Africa huge potential for its natural resource and climate protection,” said AndréJacques Auberton-Hervé, president and ceo of Soitec. “After proving our Concentrix technology’s performance in the region with last year’s installation of a 60 kW power plant at the Aquila Private Game Reserve in Touwsrivier, we are proud to continue supporting the country’s young but growing renewable-energy sector. Sustainable energy, as we all know, is a prerequisite for a sustainable future.” At the entrance to COP17’s Climate Change Response Expo, located adjacent to the ICC, Soitec will display a full-size, 10-metre-high solar panel tracker to give visitors a close-up look at CPV technology. It will be used to charge electric vehicles.
Soitec CPV plant powers COP17 climate talks
Siemens launches 6 MW turbine
S
IEMENS ENERGY has launched a 6 MW direct drive offshore wind turbine at the European Offshore Wind Energy Conference in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The new SWT-6.0 will be available with rotor diametres of 120 and 154 metres and is designed for offshore sites. Siemens reports that the turbine is in the direct drive class, with “50 per cent fewer parts than comparable geared wind turbines”. With a towerhead mass of roughly 350 tonnes, the company claims that the SWT-6.0 is the lightest machine in its class: “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”, said Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology officer of the Siemens Wind Power Division. The turbine is offered with two different rotor blades. The SWT-6.0-154 features what Siemens says is the largest rotor blade in the 6-MW class, the new B75 Quantum Blade. This 75 metre long blade delivers “enormous strength at low weight”, and “unique airfoils” offer performance at a wide range of wind speeds. Meanwhile the SWT-6.0-120 is equipped with the B58 rotor blade – the 58 metre long blade used in the
6
November/December 2011 | Renewable Energy Focus
Siemens SWT-3.6-120. According to a statement, “the SWT-6.0-120 will bring direct drive technology to customers offshore, even in areas where air traffic and height restrictions ordinarily preclude wind turbine installations of the 6-MW class”. The entire electrical system of the new 6-MW machine – including the medium voltage system and the full converter – is enclosed in the nacelle, and the nacelle also incorporates a helicopter-hoisting platform, allowing access for service technicians. The nacelle houses fewer parts than geared wind turbines, says Siemens, and so gives technicians easier access to key components. The first prototype of the Siemens 6-megawatt turbine was installed in May, 2011 at Høvsøre, Denmark. Siemens is currently in the process of testing and validating the performance of the turbine: “The testing has confirmed our calculations”, said cto Henrik Stiesdal. A pre-series of up to 50 SWT-6.0 wind turbines will be installed at on- and offshore sites in Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands and in the UK during 2012 and 2013. Wind Power is part of Siemens’ environmental portfolio. In fiscal 2011, revenue from the Portfolio totalled around €30 billion.
Soitec has built a Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) power plant near Durban, South Africa, as a “flagship project” for the 17th annual Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), being held during 28 November to 9 December. The 500 kW solar-energy facility, which will power the COP17 global gathering, was officially inaugurated by South African President Dr. Jacob. G. Zuma on 4 December. Soitec worked closely with the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DEA) of South Africa and the local eThekwini Municipality to build the CPV solar plant, which feeds into the area’s power-supply grid. The plant was constructed in one month, using the combination of Soitec’s international expertise and the local work force. Group Five, an integrated construction services, materials and infrastructure investment group operating in Africa, was the local construction partner for the project. “CPV offers South Africa huge potential for its natural resource and climate protection,” said AndréJacques Auberton-Hervé, president and ceo of Soitec. “After proving our Concentrix technology’s performance in the region with last year’s installation of a 60 kW power plant at the Aquila Private Game Reserve in Touwsrivier, we are proud to continue supporting the country’s young but growing renewable-energy sector. Sustainable energy, as we all know, is a prerequisite for a sustainable future.” At the entrance to COP17’s Climate Change Response Expo, located adjacent to the ICC, Soitec will display a full-size, 10-metre-high solar panel tracker to give visitors a close-up look at CPV technology. It will be used to charge electric vehicles.