The Haliade 150, the world’s largest offshore wind turbine recently installed off the Belgian coast, symbolizes the beginning of the development of a brand new set of technologies. French turbine and train maker Alstom claim the Haliade 150 will generate as much as 15% more energy than any other wind turbine currently in operation.
This 6 MW wind turbine has a tower which extends up to 78 meters (about 256 feet) in height and a set of three blades, each of 73 meters (about 240 feet) in length.
The features of Haliade 150 wind turbine are impressive:
• This large wind turbine will power approximately 5,000 households.
• It will require less maintenance because of fewer mechanical parts.
• The Alstom Pure Torque® design protects the generator and improves performance by diverting unwanted stresses from the wind safely to the turbine’s tower through the main frame.
• It operates without a gearbox, whereas the permanent generator is incorporated in it, making it more reliable and cost effective.
• The turbine generates up to 40% more efficiency per kg of material used than today’s offshore machines.
The Haliade 150 wind turbine combines proven technology and innovation. Alstom hopes high yield and uncompromising reliability will lower the cost of offshore energy. The first Haliade 150 will spend the next year in testing at the installation site in Belgium before the second turbine will be installed.
