GE’s 6-MW wind generator leaves factory
GE Power Conversion completed manufacturing the first serial PMG in GE Renewable’s offshore wind factory in Saint-Nazaire, which was inaugurated in late 2014. The factory is set up to have a capacity of manufacturing 100 generators per year.
As the first series, 300 generators are to be manufactured on-site. The first recently completed generator is to be installed in GE’s Haliade 150-6MW offshore wind turbine in Denmark. The turbine’s power yield is 15 percent higher than that of other same-generation wind turbines, each is capable of supplying 5,000 households per annum. The power supplied by these turbines will become increasingly cost-effective as the volume of generators coming out of the Saint-Nazaire factory increases.
“The factory in Saint Nazaire is the first offshore wind manufacturing site in France. It is a milestone in the nation’s energy history. Now by leveraging technologies from different GE businesses—the GE Store, we are well positioned to bring clean offshore wind energy to the domestic market as well as export to regions beyond France where energy is needed,” said Frederic Maenhaut, Renewables Executive, GE Power Conversion.
The 6-MW PMG is one of the world’s largest generators ever built. Its direct drive system has no mechanical gearbox coupled to the generator. Low component count increases equipment reliability and therefore enables higher energy efficiency, which also leads to increased turbine availability. Less downtime and maintenance requirements ultimately can reduce the cost of wind energy.
“Offshore wind is gaining increasing competitiveness in the power mix, and GE is well positioned to serve this industry. We developed this PMG technology five years ago. It is ideal for offshore setting, helping increase wind turbines’ availability and optimizing energy production,” said Maenhaut.
GE’s PMGs have been previously selected to be installed on Block Island, America’s first offshore wind farm, which will help generate 30 MW of electricity in 2016.