Germany: Senvion wind turbine with Next Electrical System on the grid

This is the company's response to the increased grid requirements that will apply in the future for the high-voltage grid in Germany due to implementation of TAB Hochspannung (technical conditions for the connection and operation of customer systems to the high-voltage grid) from 2017 onwards. Long-term implementation of the EU specifications is expected in other European countries, as well as in Germany, with connection to the medium-voltage grid.

Andreas Nauen, CEO at Senvion, says: "Wind energy already makes a considerable contribution to the German electricity mix. This is accompanied by the responsibility of having a grid-stabilizing effect in the future as well. Our customers already attach considerable importance to meeting tomorrow's power grid requirements at an early stage – and we offer them sustainable technologies to achieve this." The Senvion 3.4M114 NES builds on the tried-and-tested design approach of over 600 Senvion 3.XM DFIG (Doubly Fed Induction Generator) turbines that have already been installed worldwide. In addition, the newly integrated fully rated converter improves the electrical capabilities thanks to a larger frequency and voltage range as well as an optimized idle power range.

Furthermore, the new electrical system of the Senvion 3.4M114 NES allows the rotor to be operated optimally in the partial load range and thus to work more profitably in the sound-optimized range. It is thus following a core focal point currently adopted by Senvion. "We are aware of the demand for turbines that are as quiet as possible. For this reason, we focus more strongly on this in all the optimizations we make," says Hendrik Böschen, Managing Director at Senvion Deutschland GmbH. "We are also working on optimizations to the blades." In September 2015, the company had announced the Senvion 3.4M140 turbine, which, with its Eco Blade Control system, will have serrations on the rear edges of the blades in order to reduce noise.

A further three turbines with a new electrical system will enter operation this very year.