GE Works on Typhoon-Withstanding Wind Turbine

Wind Industry Profile of

Much like hurricanes in the northern Atlantic, typhoons are a perennial menace threatening Japan, the Philippines, China and other nations sitting on the Pacific Rim. Last year the region endured 11 of these tropical cyclones, whose winds can toss vehicles into the air, uproot trees and tear roofs from houses.

They’re also a threat to the adoption of wind power in island nations like Japan, where wind power represents a small — 3.4 gigawatts — but growing generating capacity. Engineers from GE are now working to make sure that new wind farms can survive nature’s tantrums. A “normal” wind turbine can withstand wind speeds of up to 42.5 meters per second, or about 94 miles per hour. That’s around the same strength as a... ... More: Official Press Release GE Renewable Energy

Keywords:

GE; GE Renewable Energy, turbine, wind turbine, typhoon, storm, hurricane, turbine manufacturer, wind farm