TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME DO TWO-BLADED TURBINES HAVE A FUTURE OFFSHORE?

摘要

Development initiatives for two-bladed machines are on the increase but there are doubts about their feasibility across the wind industry. Envision of China has introduced the E128, a 3.6MW two-bladed, direct-drive upwind offshore turbine incorporating a 128-metre rotor with partial pitch control and a rear-mounted generator. The 'proof of concept' modular demonstration turbine could represent a model for a larger future turbine. The generator positioning behind the tower resembles GE's 4.1-113 and a skipped Nordex 6MW model. According to Envision, this layout does not constrain future rotor modifications or generator choice. A lightweight carbon-fibre torgue shaft connects rotor and generator.