Siemens Energy will supply 15 of its SWT-3.0-101 direct-drive wind turbines for Minnesota Power's Bison 1 wind power plant near Center, N.D. Minnesota Power modified its original order, replacing 33 Siemens SWT-2.3-101 geared wind turbines, to now include 16 2.3-MW SWT-2.3-101 and 15 innovative 3-MW SWT-3.0-101 direct-drive machines.
Siemens says the order from Minnesota Power is the second for its direct drive turbines in the U.S. Oklahoma Gas & Electric purchased three SWT-3.0-101 turbines for its Crossroads wind power plant in August.
Minnesota Power had originally ordered 33 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines for the two phases of the Bison 1 plant, Bison 1A and 1B. The 16 SWT-2.3-101 wind turbines at Bison 1A are presently being installed, and the 15 SWT-3.0-101 turbines for Bison 1B will be delivered in August 2011.
The company says the SWT-3.0-101 turbine has a rated power of 3 MW and a rotor diameter of 101 meters, and offers innovation through a direct-drive concept using a permanent magnet generator.
SOURCE: Siemens