Vestas to Launch New Wind Turbine Designed to Generate More Power in Low Winds

Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems has announced plans to launch a new onshore wind turbine designed to generate more electricity in areas where wind speeds are relatively low.

The company said the new V182-7.2 MW turbine is expected to improve the revenue potential of wind farm operators by enabling them to produce more electricity during periods of low and medium wind speeds.

The new turbine is based on Vestas’ EnVentus platform, which uses a modular design that allows the company to customise turbines for different operating conditions without substantially increasing the number of components.

Vestas said the V182-7.2 MW is equipped with a larger rotor and longer blades than its predecessor.

The new rotor will sweep an area about 12 per cent larger, allowing the turbine to capture more wind and convert it into electricity.

The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Felix Henseler, said the larger rotor would improve the turbine’s ability to operate efficiently across a wider range of wind conditions.

“That means that we can capture wind at medium speed, but also low wind speed in a better way,” Henseler told Reuters.

The development comes as the global wind energy industry faces growing pressure to improve the economic returns from renewable power generation.

One of the challenges facing wind power producers is the so-called “cannibalisation effect.” This occurs when large numbers of wind turbines generate electricity at the same time during periods of strong winds, increasing the supply of power and potentially causing electricity prices to fall.

For wind farm operators, the situation can reduce the financial benefits of producing large amounts of electricity precisely when wind generation is at its highest.

Vestas said its new turbine is designed to help address part of that challenge by increasing power generation during periods of weaker winds. Such periods can coincide with higher electricity prices, potentially improving the commercial performance of wind farms.

The V182-7.2 MW will also represent Vestas’ first new onshore wind turbine model in four years, highlighting the company’s efforts to develop technology suited to changing conditions in the renewable energy market.

Vestas said it plans to install a prototype of the new turbine in 2027, allowing the company to test its performance before moving to full-scale manufacturing.

According to Henseler, serial production of the turbine is expected to begin in 2028.

The company’s latest development comes amid continued investment in renewable energy as governments, utilities and private companies seek to expand electricity generation from wind and other low-carbon sources.

The ability to generate electricity efficiently at lower wind speeds is particularly important for projects located in areas that do not have consistently strong winds.

A turbine capable of capturing more energy from weaker wind conditions could allow developers to consider a wider range of locations for future wind projects.

Vestas, one of the world’s major wind turbine manufacturers, has operations across multiple international markets and supplies equipment for onshore and offshore wind projects.

The company’s new turbine is therefore expected to form part of its broader effort to improve turbine performance and adapt wind technology to changing market and environmental conditions.

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