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That's a big boy

https://windletteren.substack.com/p/exc ... -images-of

We must be getting to the point of maximum size for WT's now, the logistics for moving these things in to position is now starting to look onerous and I cant help wondering if three smaller WT's would be better than one large one ? Does anyone know the economics associated with the "bigger" is better concept for WT's?

Moxi

Moxi wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:25 am We must be getting to the point of maximum size for WT's now, the logistics for moving these things in to position is now starting to look onerous and I cant help wondering if three smaller WT's would be better than one large one ? Does anyone know the economics associated with the "bigger" is better concept for WT's?

Moxi

The biggest issue on the horizon is that with floating foundations, port side construction is done using ring cranes. There are more projects than ring cranes. I know more can be built, but I imagine they aren't cheap.

this is eggs in one basket stuff which either makes or breaks a Co.

Moxi wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2024 9:25 am We must be getting to the point of maximum size for WT's now, the logistics for moving these things in to position is now starting to look onerous and I cant help wondering if three smaller WT's would be better than one large one ? Does anyone know the economics associated with the "bigger" is better concept for WT's?

Moxi

Not really what you asked, but I understand that bigger WT's, mean that they reach higher, and into higher wind speeds, and lower turbulence. So we see the capacity factors rising, with the height.

But, that makes me wonder, if the ideal is to mount the 'best' sized blades/nacelle, on ever taller poles, as a compromise?

Damn ..... now I'm wondering if the tower could be built/designed in sections, so it can crank up after the nacelle and blades are installed, and crank down for storms, and maintenance. Interlocking cones or something like that. Not like me to make a question ever more complicated.

Mart

I do like the idea of taller masts for the turbines - but that sort of brings us back to the question of smaller taller more numerous turbines or fewer larger and "taller" turbines ?

Moxi

Thing is, if you can build a taller tower, you can then also fit longer blades, which means you then need a bigger generator machine otherwise it's energy you could have turned to electricity not being made... and so on

How do you transport the 135m long blades?

Mount them vertically on a ship and use them as a makeshift sail?!

Stinsy wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2024 5:33 pm How do you transport the 135m long blades?

Vestas have a big blade plant on the Medina on the Island just a mile or so from the Cowes estuary so I guess it's straight on to a barge and then where ever, Inland though..............sounds like a nightmare.

Desp