Siemens launches new wind turbine in the U.S. with industry-leading capacity factor

Premiering at the AWEA Windpower 2015 tradeshow in Orlando, Florida: The Siemens SWT-2.3-120 is the first wind turbine designed by Siemens to specifically meet the demands of its North and South American customers. The powerful new turbine features a 120-meter rotor, enabling it to achieve an industry-leading capacity factor. It is the next step in the evolution of Siemens’ proven G2 product platform – one of the bestselling product lines in wind turbine history. Serial production of the SWT-2.3-120 will commence in the U.S. in 2017.

The product was developed with an eye toward increasing energy production for sites with medium to low wind conditions, which are prevalent in markets within the Americas region. It employs advanced technology including a newly-developed 59-meter long rotor blade, which has been optimized for enhanced production at medium to low wind speeds, while also reducing weights and loads for decreased wear and tear. Siemens’ blade factory in Fort Madison, Iowa and Siemens aerodynamic engineering center in Boulder, Colorado, were heavily involved in the development of the refined product and its aeroelastically tailored blade.

The drive train has been optimized to deliver maximum energy capture in medium to low wind conditions. At wind speeds ranging from 6 to 8.5 meters per second, the Siemens SWT-2.3-120 can yield an increase of nearly 10% in AEP compared to its predecessor, the SWT-2.3-108. The results are higher returns and a significant decrease in the projected Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE). The product design also incorporates several added safety and operational benefits related to the service and maintenance of the turbines, including increased accessibility of key components and access to the weather station from inside the nacelle.

“We designed the SWT-2.3-120 with the requirements of the Americas region in mind,” said Markus Tacke, CEO Siemens Wind Power and Renewables Division. “With the SWT-2.3-120, we have been able to achieve an industry-leading capacity factor of over 60 percent and a nearly 10 percent improvement in AEP under design conditions. The SWT-2.3-120 offers excellent returns on investment for years to come. This new wind turbine will ideally serve its home market and also strengthen our export business.”

Siemens at AWEA Windpower 2015 tradeshow, Orlando, Booth # 2522