Zaragoza, Spain: Alstom announced the launch of its ECO 122 wind turbine September 28. The 2.7MW onshore wind turbine is designed to boost energy yield in regions with low wind speeds. At a wind speed of 7.5 m/s the turbine has been shown to deliver a net windfarm capacity factor of up to 42%, equivalent to 3,600 full-load hours each year. Rotor diameter is 122 metres and swept area is 11,700 m2, claimed to be the largest in the 2 MW to 3 MW class. The result is about 25% increased wind farm yield on a given piece of land, compared with 1.5 – 2 MW turbines. As an example, on a typical low wind site, six current generation 1.5 – 2 MW turbines will produce around 40 GWh/year2, compared with more than 50 GWh/year with only five ECO 122 turbines.
This yield advantage also means significant capital expenditure savings, Alstom says. An ECO 122 powered wind farm can reduce balance of plant costs by 10-15%, compared with a farm using typical 1.5 – 2 MW machines, due to fewer foundations, platforms and roads, and less cabling.
The first ECO 122 will be installed in mid 2012, with first commercial deliveries expected in early 2013.