Adwen says it has entered the final stages of installation for its AD 8-180 prototype, an offshore wind turbine with a nominal capacity of 8 MW and a 180-meter rotor.
Over the past 18 months, the platform has undergone extensive testing in order to de-risk the technology and help speed up its certification, the company says.
The prototype is being installed in Bremerhaven, Germany. The foundation was finished earlier this year, and the first three sections of the tower, including the power section, have also been installed.
The fourth will be installed in the coming days, and the fifth and final section will be installed at the same time as the nacelle, says Adwen, which adds that the machine will also boast the world’s longest blades.
The pre-commissioning tests of the nacelle were successfully completed at Fraunhofer IWES DyNaLab. Back at Adwen’s facilities, the hub was mounted on the nacelle; this assembled unit is undergoing additional testing.
“As we get closer to the commissioning of the AD 8-180 prototype, I am excited to have the opportunity to confirm what we have learned during one of the most demanding validation campaigns this industry has ever seen,” says David Guiu, Adwen’s chief commercial officer. “We are convinced that our wind turbine will be a top performer and a key contribution in the race to reduce the levelized cost of offshore wind energy, thanks to its reliability and unmatched annual energy production.”
The AD 8-180, based on the technology of Adwen’s 5 MW platform, has already been selected for three projects off the coasts of France for a total of 1.5 GW.
