World's largest turbine powers 5000 homes

Almost a year ago Enercon's previously “absolutely-massive, largest-in-the-world” wind turbine, the E-112 hit the headlines. Now Enercon has outdone itself once again with a 126 meter diameter wind turbine called (of course) the E-126.

Not only is it larger than the E-112, it contains a slew of innovations that increase the efficiency of the conversion from motion to electrical energy. As a result, the turbine might produce as much as seven megawatts of electricity, one whole megawatt larger than the E-112. And, yes, it's enough power to fuel more than 5,000 European homes.

Two of the massive turbines were recently installed in Emden, Germany, and are officially being listed as prototypes. As of yet, no full farms are using the turbine, but with a power rating like that, they can't be far off. The advantages of the E-126 over the E-112 include easier transportation and installation due to modular design and light-weight materials. New complex blade designs that decrease resistance of the tower and increase capture of wind energy as well an extra 11 meters in height, which push it just that much further into the faster, more constant higher winds.

You can read more about it in Enercon's yearly report (PDF) by following the link:
http://www.enercon.de/www/en/windblatt.nsf/vwAnzeige/66BD14BABA22BCA2C12573A7003FA82E//WB-0407-en.pdf.