HUSUM WindEnergy 2010: REpower presents innovative offshore service concept (Germany)

REpower Systems AG (WKN 617 703) will present its new concept for the maintenance of future offshore wind farms at this year’s HUSUM WindEnergy. From 2013, the company will use a new, tailor-made jack-up vessel and two further special ships for this purpose.

The Hamburg-based wind turbine manufacturer will also present a new variant of the 3.XM series at the trade fair for areas with low wind conditions. For an improved performance the REpower 3.2M114 will be combined with a hybrid tower and offers, with a hub height of 123 meters, an additional energy yield of more than 5% compared with similar turbines.

The new service and maintenance strategy of REpower Systems AG is designed for the offshore wind farms of the future, particularly German farshore wind farms. At the heart of this concept is a jack-up-crane vessel, a hub platform that operates independently in the wind farms.

“Previously, there was practically no mention of how the large offshore wind farms of the future were actually to be operated”, says Andreas Nauen, CEO of REpower Systems AG. “With our concept, we offer a new solution to cope with the very special demands at offshore wind farms.” He also emphasizes the following: “For our customers it is important that we can plan the service assignments and thus the costs. Our new system means that we can continue operating, even in poor weather conditions, and can even replace major components when required, such as generators or rotor blades cost-effectively within a short time.”

REpower is also exhibiting products for onshore application, including the turbine variant 3.2M114 with a rated output of 3.2 megawatts (MW) on a concrete and steel hybrid tower with a hub height of 123 meters. This turbine will be presented to the public for the first time in Husum. Matthias Schubert, CTO of REpower: “In light of the trend for ever more complex locations and lower wind speeds, this turbine offers an additional energy yield of more than 5% compared with similar turbines. We are using our tried-and-tested system here with a double-fed asynchronous generator, gear system and a partial converter, which is certified for all international grid requirements.” A prototype of the 3.2M114 with a hub height of 123 meters is set to be installed at the end of 2011.

REpower will exhibit its entire product portfolio at its two-story booth covering around 450 square meters in Hall 3. Large light boxes will show the MM and 3.XM series, while models of the REpower 5M and 6M offshore turbines (scale 1:20) and an open nacelle will be displayed in front of a presentation area for the Belgian offshore project Thornton Bank.

HUSUM WindEnergy will take place from September 21 to 25. Around 25,000 visitors are expected, as well as 950 exhibiting companies.

[mappress]

Source: repower, September 16, 2010;