TÜV NORD recently certified the world’s largest offshore wind turbine. With a capacity of up to 15 MW and a rotor diameter of 222 meters, the newest turbine from Siemens Gamesa will raise the bar and be a milestone in the generation of clean energy.
Following TÜV NORD’s assignment with various predecessor models, the wind-energy experts will support the SG 14-222 DD on its way to market maturity. The order covers prototype and type certification.
“We are very proud that Siemens Gamesa is relying on our expertise for this extraordinary project,” said Silvio Konrad, TÜV NORD managing director and responsible for the energy sector. “The turbine makes it possible to use wind energy with a high efficiency and contributes significantly to the further progress of the energy transition.”
The TÜV NORD wind-energy experts are commissioned to certify the turbine in accordance with the internationally recognized IECRE scheme OD 501. In combination with OD 502, the scheme is particularly suitable for the highly complex certification of offshore projects.
“We have been operating successfully in the offshore wind sector for a long time and with this extraordinary project, we foster the worldwide expansion of offshore wind energy,” said Alexander Ohff, executive vice president of the Renewable Energy Segment at TÜV NORD.
TÜV NORD is responsible for the certification of the SG 14-222 DD’s prototype, scheduled for completion in 2021, and for the type certification prior to the series production. The focus is on the overall concept of the wind turbine. TÜV NORD experts assess the system design for the planned life time, which is 25 years for the SG 14-222 DD. They evaluate the complete turbine from the rotor blades to the nacelle and the tower base. In addition, the quality along the supply chain and a detailed test program will be evaluated. The experts also consider the extreme conditions a wind turbine is exposed to in the open sea. After all, the turbine must operate safely even in a saline environment, storm surges, and abnormal wind speeds. Accordingly, the SG 14-222 DD is going to be tested for the so-called “Typhoon class,” which is required specifically for the Japanese and Taiwanese market.
The SG 14-222 DD wind turbine is breaking records in many ways. The rated output of the Direct Drive wind turbine is 14 MW and can be increased to 15 MW by using the Power Boost function. The rotor blades measure 108 meters each, the rotor diameter is 222 meters. Thanks to its gigantic dimensions and output, the turbine will avoid around 1.4 million metric tons of CO2 emissions over 25 years compared to coal-based electricity generation. A single wind turbine of this type can supply electricity for about 18,000 average European households annually. The SG 14-222 DD turbine will be market-ready by 2024. A total of 4.34 GW of conditional orders already have been received for the product for three offshore wind projects on three continents with three customers: the 300-MW Hai Long project in Taiwan planned by Northland Power and Yushan Energy, the 1,400-MW Sofia project in the U.K. planned by innogy, and the 2,640-MW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project in the U.S. planned by Dominion Energy.
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