October 11, 2005 -
Rated at 1.5 megawatt, 1.5xle model features LM 40 rotor blade with 82.5 m rotor diameter that is suited for class III or weaker wind applications. Extreme cold-weather package provides for nominal operation at temperatures as low as -30°C and in survival mode without operation at temperatures as low as -40°C. Available tower heights are 58.7, 80, and 100 m, and tallest version is also available in solid steel form with no concrete foundation.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
GE Energy Expands its 1.5-Megawatt Series of Wind Turbines
1.5xle Unit Designed for Low-Wind Areas
HUSUM, GERMANY - September 20, 2005 - GE Energy has expanded its 1.5-megawatt series of wind turbines to include the 1.5xle model, designed for efficient operation in weak wind areas, the company announced today at HUSUMwind 2005.
A prototype of the 1.5xle wind turbine recently was connected to the grid at the Klondike Wind Farm in Sherman County, Oregon to begin its performance testing phase, which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.
"With the introduction of the 1.5xle, GE's 1.5-megawatt series now is available with the ideal rotor diameter for every wind classification," said Ulrich Uphues, platform manager, 1.5-megawatt series for GE Energy's wind segment.
GE's 1.5se wind turbines feature a rotor diameter of 70.5 meters for strong or class I wind areas; the 1.5sle has a 77-meter rotor diameter, ideal for class II; and the new 1.5xle offers a rotor diameter of 82.5 meters, for class III or weaker wind applications. GE's 1.5-megawatt family of wind turbines also offers an extreme cold-weather package that provides for operation at temperatures as low as -30°C, and in survival mode without operation, at temperatures as low as -40°C.
"The development of the 1.5xle is the latest example of how we continue to improve the capabilities and performance of our 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, which are among the most widely used megawatt-class wind turbines in the global energy industry," said Uphues. "More than 3,300 of these machines have been installed worldwide totaling more than 5,000 megawatts of capacity."
For the prototype 1.5xle unit, a few mechanical adjustments were required to accommodate the larger rotor diameter. "The pitch bearing, pitch system, rotor hub and blades, gears and towers were enhanced to meet the higher demands," explained Uphues.
Test bed trials for the 1.5xle ran for two months, with successful results. The new machine's LM 40 rotor blade has been specifically adapted to meet the operational requirements, and also underwent extreme-load and fatigue testing.
The 1.5xle series is available with tower heights of 58.7, 80 and 100 meters. The tallest version also is available in solid steel form with no concrete foundation.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenue of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
With wind turbine design, manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Spain and the United States, GE Energy is among the leading providers of wind energy products and support services, ranging from commercial wind turbines and grid integration products to project development assistance and operation and maintenance. The company's knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,500 wind turbines with a total rated output of 6,200 megawatts.
For more information, contact:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
Ken Darling or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
kenneth.darling@ps.ge.com
howard.masto@ps.ge.com
Contacts:
Public Relations:
Masto Public Relations
Ken Darling
USA
Phone: 518-786-6488 E-mail this person
General Information:
Dennis Murphy
USA
Phone: 678-844-6948 E-mail this person Company Information: Name: GE Energy Address: 4200 Wild Wood Pkwy City: Atlanta State: GA ZIP: 30339 Country: USA Phone: 877-PWR4RNT http://www.gepower.com
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