World’s Largest: 20-MW Wind Turbine Reigns (for Now)

Mingyang Smart Energy announced last week that it has installed “the world’s largest single-capacity offshore wind turbine” in a project in Hainan, China. This turbine generates up to 20 MW, surpassing the company’s earlier 18 MW model from 2023.

Mingyang describes the MySE18.X-20MW turbine as lightweight, modular, and exceptionally reliable. With a massive rotor diameter ranging from 260 to 292 meters (853 to 958 feet), it boasts a maximum wind sweeping area of 66,966 square meters—equivalent to over 12 NFL football fields.

Mingyang’s Record-Breaking Turbine

The company, known for constructing the largest turbines ever deployed in our oceans, highlights that its new turbine can produce 80 million kWh of electricity with an average annual wind speed of 8.5 m/s—enough to power homes for 96,000 residents each year.

Given the turbine’s massive size, durability in extreme weather is crucial. Mingyang claims it designed this turbine to endure level-17 typhoons with wind speeds reaching up to 79.8 m/s (178.5 mph).

Ambitious projects like this are crucial not only for boosting clean energy production but also for making these initiatives more cost-effective.

Significant Drop in Offshore Wind LCoE

A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, released last August, highlighted that the global weighted-average LCoE of offshore wind dropped significantly. In 2010, it was more than twice as expensive as the cheapest fossil fuel alternative, but by 2022, it was only 17% more expensive. The cost decreased from $0.197/kWh to $0.081/kWh during that time.

The report also indicates that the LCoE for offshore wind remains higher compared to other renewable energy sources like solar, hydropower, and geothermal. This suggests that more work is needed before offshore wind can become a more globally preferred option.

However, offshore wind projects hold enormous potential for significantly increasing energy production. Due to consistently strong winds at sea, these turbines can generate energy more reliably and efficiently than onshore wind turbines.

Transporting large towers and blades to sea by ship is easier than moving them by road. Larger turbines also mean greater energy output.

Mingyang is also developing an even larger offshore turbine, which will deliver 22 MW of power. Set to be installed next year, it will have a sweeping area of 75,477 square meters. Just thinking about it is triggering my megalophobia!

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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