Siemens has produced the first batch of its new 75 meter long B75 rotor blades.
They will be installed on the second prototype of Siemens’ 6-MW offshore wind turbine, which will be erected in the second half of the year in Denmark’s Østerild Test Station. The 75 meter long B75 Quantum Blade demonstrates tremendous strength at a low weight and, thanks to its unique airfoils, offers superior performance at a wide range of wind speeds. If the B75 Quantum blade were produced using traditional technology, it would be 25-50 percent heavier. Heavy blades are subject to higher loads and require stronger nacelles, towers, and foundations. The combination of intelligent design and low weight has a correspondingly positive effect on the power generation costs for wind energy.
As the only producer of wind turbines, Siemens manufactures rotor blades in one piece without glue joints, using the patented IntegralBlade process. Blades produced in this manner are extremely robust, which significantly improves the cost efficiency of wind turbines.
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Offshore WIND staff, June 12, 2012; Image: siemens