Vestas has expanded its 2 MW wind turbine platform with two new variants: the V116-2.0 MW and V120-2.0 MW, designed to deliver a higher power output in areas with medium, low and ultra-low wind.
Featuring 116- and 120-meter rotors, the new turbines deliver an increased swept area and annual energy production (AEP), according to Vestas.
Based on structural shell technology and advanced balance of loads, the new blades – at 57 and 59 meters – optimize aerodynamics while maintaining the original nacelle and hub dimensions and low-weight profile of the 2 MW platform, the company explains.
While the V116-2.0 MW strengthens performance in medium- and low-wind conditions (e.g., in North America), the V120-2.0 MW expands the 2 MW platform into ultra-low wind conditions; it is particularly suitable for the stable, low-wind and low-turbulence profile of India.
On the V116-2.0 MW, the new blades increase the swept area by 11% – realizing AEP improvements of up to 4% compared with the V110-2.0 MW.
On the other hand, with the largest swept area of the 2 MW platform, the V120-2.0 MW increases the swept area by 19% and realizes up to 7% increased AEP performance compared with the V110-2.0 MW.
Vestas notes that this is the 2 MW platform’s fifth major upgrade since the company introduced it in 2000. The platform now includes five rotor variants to cover high, medium, low, and now ultra-low wind conditions.
“With the V116-2.0 MW and V120-2.0 MW, we have increased the 2 MW platform’s annual energy production by 40 percent since it was launched – underlining our ability to lead the way within cost of energy reductions,” says Anders Vedel, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Vestas.
The first deliveries of the V116-2.0 MW and V120-2.0 MW turbines are expected in the first and third quarters of 2018, respectively.
