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London Array is now 10 years old

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 12:02 pm
by dan_b
What was then the world's largest offshore wind farm and using now comparatively tiny 3.6MW turbines, the London Array has now been generating for 10 years!

https://renews.biz/89646/london-array-c ... -birthday/

Re: London Array is now 10 years old

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:17 pm
by GarethC
And turbine size has QUADRUPLED in just those ten years. I know the industry has problems, but the future is still bright for it.

Re: London Array is now 10 years old

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 3:25 pm
by dan_b
Exactly - amazing to think that 3.6MW was state of the art just 10 years ago. That's one heck of a development curve!
(although I can't help but think that at some point soon they'll just simply get too big and heavy to be able to move around and install, let alone stay standing - reckon 18-20MW is about it?)

Re: London Array is now 10 years old

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:25 pm
by nowty
There may be still some way to go, the race is on for the 20MW turbine. And there are conceptual designs above that. :twisted:

The Goldwind GWH252-16MW turbine currently has the record at 16MW.
https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/wind ... 06952.html

Mingyang Wind Power is developing an 18MW one and even a larger 22MW design.
https://renewablesnow.com/news/mingyang ... pt-837415/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_m ... d_turbines

Written in 2019, suggests maybe 50MW as the limit. :shock:
https://spectrum.ieee.org/wind-turbines ... es-a-limit

Written in 2021, now out of date as the 16MW version is running and holds the current generation record. :hysteria:
"Chinese firm, MingYang, recently announced plans for an even more powerful device clocking in at 16MW."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58704792

Re: London Array is now 10 years old

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:31 pm
by dan_b
Wow, didn't realise 16MW machines were already here.
Makes my statement out of date before I'd even posted it, lol.

Re: London Array is now 10 years old

Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:37 pm
by dan_b
another article on the beyond 16MW turbines from the Chinese.

When built, they'll be taller than the Eiffel Tower

https://maritime-executive.com/article/ ... 20turbines.