feature a lighter, simplified design, and should require fewer at-sea maintenance visits. Standing 90m tall, the 5MW turbines boast a blade diameter of a massive 120m.
The turbines have been in development for more than ten years, and six are now ready to be installed as part of the Alpha Venus project, Germany's first offshore wind farm.
The blades are reinforced with carbon fibre, and key mechanical components are hermetically sealed to prevent exposure. Arveva also claims the turbines are easier to install than standard units.
Monday, 26 January 2009 17:18
First wind turbine designed for sea is launched
Written by Lenny Antonelli
The Guardian reports that the toughest wind turbines ever built have finished production in Germany. Built by French energy firm Areva, the turbines are specifically designed to be used at sea - to date turbines deployed offshore have simply been models intended for use on land.
The turbines
The turbines
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Lenny Antonelli
Lenny Antonelli is deputy editor of Passive House Plus. He also writes regularly for the Irish Times, and has contributed to a variety of other publications including the Sunday Times, the CS Monitor, Village, the Sunday Tribune amd the Dubliner. He is currently working on a radio documentary on Ireland's oceans.
lennyantonelli.ie/