Chinese renewable energy equipment manufacturer Mingyang Smart Energy has taken the battle to build, install, and operate the world’s largest wind turbines to the next level, successfully completing the installation of a 20MW behemoth.
Despite concerns that companies battling to boast increasingly larger wind turbines may undermine efforts to reduce and stabilise supply chain costs, wind turbine manufacturers are still battling it out for the biggest and most powerful.
Located on the island Chinese province of Hainan, the 20MW turbine was billed as “the world’s largest single-capacity offshore wind turbine” and boasts a flexible wind rotor diameter of between 260 to 292 metres.
Featuring a modular and lightweight design, the MySE18.X-20MW turbine can generate 80GWh each year, offsetting 66,000 tons of CO₂ emissions – equivalent to the annual consumption of 96,000 residents.
Key Highlights of the Turbine
Design and Capacity
The MySE18.X-20MW wind turbine has been designed to be both flexible and powerful. Its capacity can be adjusted between 18 MW and 20 MW, making it suitable for a range of wind conditions. The turbine also boasts a flexible rotor diameter of between 260 and 292 metres, covering a maximum swept area equivalent to nine soccer fields. This gives the turbine a significant advantage in terms of energy generation potential.
Efficiency and Environmental Benefits
With an average wind speed of 8.5 m/s, the MySE18.X-20MW turbine can generate 80 million kWh annually, offsetting 66,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual consumption of 96,000 households. These impressive numbers highlight the turbine’s potential to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
Robustness and Durability
The turbine has been designed for global deployment in medium-to-high wind speed regions, with specific suitability for typhoon-prone sites. The turbine can withstand winds up to 79.8 m/s, making it a robust and reliable energy source.
Mingyang's Achievements in Offshore Wind
It is Mingyang’s second offshore wind milestone in just the last few months, after the company completed construction of a twin-rotor floating wind turbine platform dubbed OceanX, featuring two turbines on a V-shaped platform with a total capacity of 16.6GW.
Mingyang described OceanX as “the world’s largest single-capacity floating wind turbine platform”, claiming that the technology had been designed for deep water applications and is capable of producing 54GWh of electricity each year.
The Race for Larger Wind Turbines
Dongfang’s 18MW turbine, at the time the world’s largest turbine, itself boasted a rotor diameter of 260 metres and was capable of generating 72GWh of electricity each year.
Future of Offshore Wind Technology
The race to build larger and more powerful wind turbines is likely to continue in the coming years, as the industry seeks to further reduce the cost of wind energy and improve its efficiency. Mingyang’s recent success is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and its ability to push the boundaries of wind energy technology.
Conclusion: A Giant Leap for Offshore Wind
The successful installation of the MySE18.X-20MW offshore wind turbine is a significant milestone for Mingyang Smart Energy and the global offshore wind industry. It demonstrates the potential of wind energy to play a major role in the transition to a clean energy future.
