By June 2010, the total capacity from wind powered generators had risen to 175 GW (providing more than 2 percent of world’s electricity), by actually doubling itself in the past three years. When it comes to clean wind power, Vestas has always been one of the global leaders, especially if we consider their mammoth V112 conception with a rotor diameter of whopping 112m and a huge swept area of 9,852 sq. m. But, if their new design concept comes to realization, then it will even topple the V112.
Called the V164, this new ambitious proposal would have a 7.0 MW capacity, which will be twice that of its predecessor, the 3.0 MW V112. As a matter of fact its 164m rotor diameter will even overtake the current world record holder – the prototype G10X installed by Gamesa in Spain in 2009 with a dia of 128m.
The design will be a horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) with a rotor shaft and electrical generator at the top of a tower. Such big turbines generally incorporate a gear box with converts the slow turning of the blades into quicker rotation, for driving an electrical generator. Moreover, the V164 will be specially designed to withstand the furiously gusty North Sea winds. The electricity generated will cater to the European market, especially the North European countries.
The project will certainly prove to be a big step forward, especially in view of the goal set by EU – to get 13 percent of total power from renewable sources by 2020.
Source: GizMag
