Call to slow down "mega" wind turbine deployment

[dan_b]

Interesting point of view.

https://renews.biz/96882/owne2024-acade ... -turbines/

[AE-NMidlands]

... which has been my gut feeling for a while now. Hubris and all that.
Good point about standardisation on the big ones we have now (avoiding unexpected costs) while other bits of the infrastructure catch up.
A

[Mart]

I'm of the same mind, that perhaps a bit of standardisation would be good now.

But then, as usual, I had a quick overthink, and can imagine China continuing to develop bigger (better?) WT's, so at some point other manufacturers might find themselves falling behind. Or .... could we let China do all the hard development work, then simply steal their design (they won't like it up em!)

[Oliver90owner]

My view is the bigger they are, the better. Don’t stop progress - as long as they are reliable. My preference would be to avoid chinese turbines - there is no real reason why their ”mass production” should be better than european products of this precision and required reliability?

[Ken]

https://reneweconomy.com.au/not-always- ... -turbines/

"One of the most prominent wind energy developers in Australia, France’s Neoen, says it is considering a switch to Chinese made turbines because it has issues with the price, service and quality of the western manufacturers that have traditionally led the industry."

The most important thing is reliability and with this goes "eggs in basket". One BIG turbine stops etc and you have a BIG problem.

It very rarely proves to be a leader if that involves high development costs and risk. As Mart says let the Chinese do it and we just copy if applicable but i doubt it is due to supporting equipment and terrain considerations.

Has nobody noticed that the present manufacturers have nearly bankrupted themselves trying to be leader of the pack.

[Ken]

https://renews.biz/80072/rwe-to-dismant ... -concerns/

One of the turbines (turbine number 4) was shut down in August last year when damage to the tower was detected.

Shortly after, the remaining five turbines were shut down as a precautionary measure and comprehensive safety measures put in place.

Nordex has now drawn up a dismantling plan for the Jüchen A 44n wind farm with support of RWE, the city of Jüchen and the utility company NEW.

It comprises the complete dismantling of the existing wind turbines and safe demolition of the concrete towers.

The dismantling is required due to structural defects identified in the towers, RWE said.

[Mart]

Yep Ken, as you say they are literally bankrupting themselves. So keep developing in an expensive arms race, and risk going bust. Or sit back, and in 5yrs, struggle to sell, because China will have pulled ahead.

Reminds me of legacy auto, who need to spend vast amounts developing BEV's, and ramping production to levels where they don't make losses on each car ....... but whilst they lose money on each BEV sold, they don't want to lean in harder.

It seems to me, that technology in certain areas, is moving much faster than normal, so steady improvements (whilst being profitable) isn't working.

What's that curse about living in interesting times.