Vestas, GE, Nordex and Senvion are all chasing a growing market of low-wind sites, especially in Germany and northern Europe.
Vestas revealed its V136-3.45MW turbine, an upgrade to the V126, with new 66.7-metre single-piece slender rotor blades, and an innovative large-diameter tower (see page 34). Series production is planned for 2017.
Nordex added a larger capacity version of its N131 low-wind turbine. The uprated turbine is now 3.3MW, up from 3MW, and will be available from mid 2016.
GE brought out a lowto medium-wind 3.2MW turbine with a 130-metre rotor diameter specifically designed for the German market, and available at end 2016.
And Senvion also showed its new 3.4M140 turbine. This is a larger rotor version of its 3.4M104 turbine, using 68-metre blades. This model will not be available until 2018.
Newcomer
Another low-wind model, while not new, is newly available in Germany. Spanish manufacturer Acciona opened a sales office in Mainz to sell its AW3000 3MW platform, including a low-wind model, in the country. Germanyavailable in the country for the first time.
THE FIGURES COMPARED
New low-wind turbines launched at Husum Wind, Germany September 2015
| Manufacturer | Capacity (MW) | Blade/Rotor Length (metres) | Hub Height (metres) | Volume (dBA) |
| Vestas V136-3.45 | 3.45 | 66.7/136 | 149/160 | 105.5 |
| Senvion 3.4M140 | 3.4 | 68/140 | 110/130 | 104 |
| Nordex N131 | 3.3 | 65.5/131 | 134/164 | 104.5 |
| GE 3.2-130 | 3.2 | 63.7/130 | Four, from 85-155 | 104.5 |
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