The new turbine installed by Dong Phuong Electric Group can provide electricity for 36,000 households each year and reduce coal consumption by 22,000 tons.
China completed the installation of the world’s first 18 MW wind turbine. Dongfang Electric Group, a state-owned generator manufacturer, achieved this achievement on June 5 with a turbine installed at a coastal testing base in southern China’s Guangdong province, according to Interesting Engineering.
As countries seek to cut fossil fuels and increase the use of renewable energy, wind turbines are thriving. To harness strong winds at sea, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are focusing on building bigger and better turbines that can power multiple homes in a single rotation of the blades.
At the China Wind Power event last October, Dong Phuong introduced two 18 MW wind turbine models, among the largest in the world in terms of capacity. Less than a year later, they completed the installation of the giant turbine model. The turbine’s rotor diameter is 260 m and the scanning area is 53,000 m2, more than 7 times larger than a standard football field. According to Dong Phuong estimates, the turbine will produce 72 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually, enough to meet the electricity needs of 36,000 households. The device also helps reduce the burning of 22,000 tons of coal and prevents the release of 59,000 tons of carbon emissions.
Dong Phuong is not the only manufacturer in China making 18 MW turbines. Previously, Minh Duong Smart Energy Company also introduced an 18 MW turbine that can produce a capacity of up to 20 MW on a windy day. An example of how much power a large wind turbine can produce on a clear day occurred last year when GoldWind’s 16 MW turbine faced winds of 83 km/h. Within 24 hours, the turbine produces 384 MWh of electricity, enough to supply 170,000 households.
However, the trend toward larger wind turbine production is only noted among Chinese manufacturers. European equipment manufacturer Vestas, which set a record for maximum power output from a single turbine, has no plans to produce turbines larger than 16 MW. GE Electric, another wind turbine manufacturer, also has no plans to create a 17-18 MW version of its famous Halide wind turbine line. On the other hand, Chinese turbine manufacturers also lead the way in fast installation of offshore wind turbines, completed within just 24 hours.