Vestas has been at the frontier of wind energy for 40 years, introducing market-leading wind energy solutions that have driven down the cost of energy and taken wind energy from niche to mainstream. Vestas recently introduced the EnVentus wind-turbine platform, which represents another significant step forward in the continuous efforts to lower the levelized cost of energy and accelerate the global transition to a more sustainable energy mix.
The EnVentus platform will initially be available in two new variants: the V150-5.6 MW and V162-5.6 MW, together covering low-, medium-, and high-wind conditions. Based on advanced modular design, EnVentus supports Vestas’ vision to become the global leader in sustainable energy solutions and provides a wider range of turbine configurations that can better meet evolving customer needs.
EnVentus represents the next generation of wind-turbine technology and connects four decades of wind-energy innovation with the experience and knowledge represented by Vestas’ 100 GW of installed wind turbine capacity. The new platform demonstrates the benefits of Vestas’ industry-leading investments in R&D and unmatched volume of wind data.
“EnVentus is a great achievement by everyone at Vestas that allows us to meet customers’ increasing needs for customization and continuous reduction of the cost of energy,” said Anders Runevad, Vestas President and CEO. “Our relentless focus on delivering industry-leading revenue and profitability the past years has given us the resources to develop a new platform built on our world-class R&D. Following our 2018 order record and 100-GW milestone, EnVentus is another important step in Vestas’ journey to become the global leader in sustainable energy solutions.”
As Vestas’ first platform introduction since 2011, EnVentus combines proven technology and system designs from Vestas’ 2-MW, 4-MW, and 9-MW platforms with advanced modularity, building a foundation that reliably and efficiently lowers the cost of energy. The journey towards a modular platform was initiated in 2012 and is expected to create increased scale advantages and opportunities to optimize current and future value chain needs, such as design cycles and transportation.
“Vestas has pioneered wind energy since 1979 and, by introducing EnVentus and its first two variants, we connect heritage with innovation to underline our technology leadership,” said Anders Vedel, Vestas chief technology officer. “With the introduction of a platform built on advanced modularity, we increase our ability to provide customized solutions while ensuring value chain optimization. I’m incredibly proud of everyone in Vestas who has been part of developing our new platform and variants, once again showing Vestas has the most passionate and innovative minds in the industry.”
The platform’s first two variants: the V162-5.6 MW and V150-5.6 MW will be globally applicable and are added to the wide range of Vestas’ existing 2-MW and 4-MW platform turbines, giving customers an unmatched combination of turbines to harness wind in any specific location. The turbines feature a full-scale converter, capable of meeting complex and differing grid requirements in local markets. The full-scale converter is matched by a permanent magnet generator for maximum system efficiency and balanced by a medium-speed drivetrain.
With a swept area of more than 20,000 square meters, the V162-5.6 MW offers the largest rotor size in onshore wind to achieve industry-leading energy production. When paired with a high capacity factor, the V162-5.6 MW offers 26 percent higher annual energy production than the V150-4.2 MW, depending on site-specific conditions. It is primarily relevant in low-to-medium wind conditions, but it also has extensive applicability in high average wind speeds depending on site-specific conditions. The first V162-5.6 MW prototype is expected to be installed in mid-2020, with serial production later that year.
The V150-5.6 MW takes Vestas’ existing 150-meter rotor and applies it to higher wind speeds and extended market applicability. When combined with its higher generator rating, the turbine increases the annual energy production potential by 30 percent compared to the V136-4.2 MW, depending on site specific conditions. It is primarily relevant in medium to high wind conditions. The first V150-5.6 MW prototype is expected to be installed in the second half of 2019, while serial production is scheduled for mid-2020.
Initially, the new variants are targeted at the onshore market, but may have offshore applicability.
The name EnVentus combines “energy,” “environment,” “invent,” and the Latin word for wind “ventus” to encompass the company’s pioneering and innovative heritage within wind energy and aspiration to lead the global transition to a more sustainable energy system.
More info www.vestas.com
