Mingyang Smart Energy has installed what the company claims to be the world’s largest single-capacity offshore wind turbine, the MySE 18.X-20 MW, in Hainan, China.
The unit features flexible power ratings ranging from 18.X to 20 MW, coupled with rotor diameters from 260-292 metres, covering a maximum swept area equivalent to nine soccer fields.
According to Mingyang’s website, the wind turbine can withstand winds up to 79.8 m/s.
(A category 5 hurricane)
Wow, what’s the size limit going to actually be? 20MW is phenomenal from a single turbine, but what could we hit?
It’s an interesting question actually, there would be a material limit to how long components like the blades can be.
It’s also possible they’re just not cost effective above a certain size, too.