Offshore Series Wind Turbine
GE Energy
3.6MW
Offshore Series Wind Turbine
Arklow, Ireland
7x 3.6s
total capacity: 25.2 MW
As the world’s first commercially available wind turbine expressly
designed for offshore use, our 3.6 MW series machine combines the
best of our proven 1.5 MW technology with valuable expertise gained
from building and operating two of the world’s first multi-megawatt
class off-shore wind facilities.
Engineered for high-speed wind sites and the harsh marine
provides easy access for maintenance workers and protection
environment, our 3.6 MW machine features an exceptionally
against corrosion. Optional cranes simplify the maintenance
robust marinized design. Active yaw and pitch regulated with
process, higher-efficiency blades resist dirt and abrasion, and
power/torque control capability and a double-fed asynchronous
structural improvements enhance load absorption, allowing
generator, it utilizes a distributed drive train design in which all
greater reliability and longer service intervals – an important
nacelle components are joined on a common structure, providing
cost-savings feature, considering the rigors of offshore power
exceptional durability. The generator and gearbox are supported
generation. The 3.6 MW offshore wind turbine also employs a
by elastomeric elements to minimize noise emissions. The electrical
variety of features inherent in GE’s full line of wind turbines
container, located directly beneath the nacelle, houses the control
which range from 1.5 to 3.6 MW, for both on and offshore use.
panel, converter, switching systems and transformer. It also
Special features include…
GE’s Fleet-Wide Features and Benefits
Feature
Benefit
Variable Hub heights & rotor diameters
Provides versatility/adaptability to a wide variety of project sites
Variable Speed Control and Advanced
Enables aerodynamic efficiency and reduces loads to the drive train,
Blade Pitch
thereby reducing maintenance cost and providing longer turbine life
WindVAR (optional)
GE’s unique electronics provide transmission efficiencies and enable
(Wind-Volt-Amp-Reactive “WindVAR”)
harmonious function within the local grid
Low Voltage Ride-Thru (optional)
Allows wind turbines to stay on line generating power, even during
grid disturbances.
Arklow, Ireland
7x 3.6s
total capacity: 25.2 MW
In support of future offshore wind energy development, in 2003,
Our facilities are registered to ISO 9001:2000. Our Quality Management
GE built and now operates the world’s first commercial offshore
System, which incorporates our rigorous Six Sigma methodologies,
wind facility utilizing its 3.6 MW offshore technology. Built as a
provides our customers with quality assurance backed by the strength
technology demonstration and learning platform for offshore
of GE. We know that wind power will be an integral part of the world
wind power, GE’s 25-megawatt Arklow Bank Wind Park has been
energy mix in this century and we are committed to helping our cus-
operating in the harsh conditions of the Irish Sea since June 2004.
tomers design and implement energy solutions for their unique energy
To date, valuable lessons learned have been abundant and are
needs. Every relationship we pursue bears our uncompromising
being integrated into GE’s future wind technologies, with a focus
commitment to quality and innovation.
on increased cost-effectiveness, reliability and safety.
Earlier, In year 2000, the world’s first "megawatt-class" offshore
wind farm, Utgrunden, was completed off the south east coast
of Sweden. Designed, built and operated by our team, this knowl-
edge base has been incorporated into our 3.6 MW offshore
wind turbines.
As one of the world’s leading wind turbine suppliers, GE Energy’s
current product portfolio includes wind turbines with rated capacities
ranging from 1,500 to 3,600 kilowatts and support services extending
from development assistance to operation and maintenance. We cur-
rently design and produce wind turbines in Germany, Spain and the U.S.
Arklow, Ireland
7x 3.6s
total capacity: 25.2 MW
2
6
4
1 Offshore container
10 Impact noise insulation
5
2
11
7
Small gantry crane
Gearbox
3
11
12
8
16
3 Generator heat exchanger
12 Rotor lock
17
14
15
4 Control panel
13 Yaw drive
10
5 Generator
14 Rotor shaft
9
18
6 Oil cooler
15 Bearing housing
13
7 Coupling
16 Rotor hub
8 Hydraulic parking brake
17 Pitch drive
1
9 Main frame
18 Nose cone
Technical Data
3.6sl
Operating data
• Rated capacity:
Power Curve
3,600 kW
• Cut-in wind speed:
3,5 m/s
• Cut-out wind speed:
27 m/s
4,400
h •1 Rated wind speed:
W
8,000,000
14 m/s
k 4,000
W
k
3,600
Rotor
15,000,000
3,200
• Number of rotor blades:
3
• Rotor diameter
12,000,000
:
2,800
111 m
• Swept area:
9677 m2
2,400
• Rotor speed (v
9,000,000
ariable):
8,5 – 15,3 rpm
2,000
1,600
Tower
6,000,000
1,200
• Hub heights:
Site dependent
800
3,000,000
400
Power control
Active blade
pitch control
1
4
7
10
13
16
19
22
25
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
8.5
9
9.5
10
Design data
GE 3.6sl
m/s
GE 3.6sl
m/s
IEC 61400-1 ed2:
Type class S*
Gearbox
• Three step planetary spur gear system
Generator
• Doubly-fed asynchronous generator
Converter
• Pulse-width modulated IGBT frequency converter
Braking system (fail-safe)
• Electromechanical pitch control for each blade (3 self-contained systems)
• Hydraulic parking brake
Yaw system
• Electromechanical driven with wind direction sensor and automatic cable unwind
Control system
• PLC (Programmable logic controller) Remote control and monitoring system
Offshore container
• Protecting converter, low voltage distribution panel, transformer and control system
Lightning protection system
• Lightning receptors installed along blades
www.gewindenergy.com
• Surge protection in electrical components
• Lightning path to ground designed to protect main bearing
• Electrical container acts as a Faraday cage, protecting the equipment against
lightning strikes
Offshore tower and foundation design
• Site-specific design: monopile, transition piece, and two-section tubular steel tower
• Transition piece incorporates safe access systems and medium voltage connections
* class 1 mean & extreme, class C turbulence per 61400-1 ed.3
Subject to technical alterations, errors and omissions.
E printed on recycled paper
© 2005 General Electric Company All Rights Reserved (9/05)
