GE Renewable Energy has unveiled a new North American version of its 3 MW turbine platform in advance of the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) WINDPOWER 2016 event, taking place in New Orleans.
First debuted in Europe in November 2015, the platform now includes a 60 Hz version of the 3.4 MW machine, with rotor diameter options of 130 meters or 137 meters.
The 3 MW platform follows GE’s 2 MW wind platform, which was introduced last year at AWEA’s 2015 event. The 2 MW machines began shipping late last year and recorded more than 1 GW of U.S. orders in the first quarter of this year, GE says.
The 3.4-130 model sits at a tower height of 85 meters, while the 3.4-137 reaches 110 meters. According to the company, the machines represent its most powerful onshore wind turbines, with the 3.4-137 model capable of providing up to a 24% higher output than existing technology.
In addition, the new 3 MW machines feature the software analytics capabilities of GE’s Digital Wind Farm, which uses a virtual modeling system that GE says enhances individual turbine configuration and site layout, aiming to capture more energy production from each site’s wind conditions. It is powered by the Predix software platform.
GE’s 3 MW turbines are configurable to meet IEC class IIIA, IIB and IIIB wind conditions.
