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GE has unveiled a floating wind turbine design.
- The new turbine could reduce the weight of offshore wind turbines by up to 35%.
- It is expected that this will also reduce the LCOE for the turbines.
General Electric (NYSE: GE) has unveiled a floating wind turbine design that could reduce the mass of offshore wind turbines by about 35 per cent. The wind turbine concept is a 2-year, $4million project developed through the ARPA-E’s ATLANTIS (Aerodynamic Turbines Lighter and Afloat with Nautical Technologies and Integrated Servo-control) programme to design and develop advanced controls to support a 12 MW Floating Offshore Wind Turbine.
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GE is partnering with Glosten in the development of the turbine. By coupling a 12 MW GE turbine with Glosten’s tension leg platform technology, the team has designed a lightweight Floating Turbine with up to 35% less mass in the tower and the floating platform. Floating wind turbines would lead to offshore installations at depths above 60m, significantly increasing offshore wind resources potentials globally. It is expected that this new design will reduce the Levelized Cost of Energy – LCOE – of the electricity generated with this turbine.
GE currently manufactures the most powerful offshore wind turbine, the Haliade X, and the company is looking to expand its market share in the global offshore wind market.