Hainan province becomes the place to install the world’s largest offshore wind turbine called MySE 18.X-20 MW.
Wind turbine manufacturer Minh Duong Smart Energy Company installed a 20 MW turbine on August 28, according to Interesting Engineering. Minh Duong’s wind turbines are carefully designed to operate at medium to high wind speeds and withstand storms. They are capable of withstanding strong winds of up to 79.8 m/s.
With a flexible power range of 18 to 20 MW, this wind turbine is a renewable energy source with an ultra-light modular design. The casing houses the generator, gearbox and many other important parts of the turbine. The turbine has a diameter of 260 – 292 m, achieving a maximum swept area equivalent to 9 football fields.
In addition, the turbine can produce 80 million kWh annually at an average wind speed of 8.5 m/s. Each year, this turbine will help protect the environment by reducing 66,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and providing electricity to 96,000 households. The turbine’s design is optimized for efficient transportation, installation and operation. This giant turbine is also suitable for deep-sea installation and can withstand the harshest conditions. According to Minh Duong, the turbine is equipped with active storm protection technology and can even withstand level 17 storms. This is a big advantage because China often has storms.
As the world moves away from fossil fuels, wind and solar power are becoming increasingly important in meeting global electricity demand. Wind turbines are a key component of renewable energy generation, providing a steady supply of electricity even when the weather is cloudy. As a result, the race to build larger and more powerful offshore wind turbines is heating up. For example, Dongfang Electric made a major contribution to the offshore wind industry in June when it installed an 18 MW turbine with a rotor diameter of 260 meters, generating 72 million kWh of electricity per year.
A larger turbine is being built in Minh Duong with a planned capacity of 22 MW, a rotor diameter of more than 305 m, and a prototype could be ready by 2025. Such massive wind turbines are made possible by ultra-lightweight carbon fiber technology.