Alstom lauds first power from 6-MW demo wind turbine off Belgium

Sep 25, 2014 - French engineering group Alstom SA (EPA:ALO) said yesterday it had generated first power from its 6-MW Haliade 150 turbine prototype, installed off the coast of Belgium.

The machine produced the first kWh of electricity on September 19. The turbine, with a rotor diameter of 150 metres (492 feet), is expected to have a 15% higher output as compared to existing offshore wind turbines, generating enough power for about 5,000 homes annually.

The direct-drive Haliade 150 turbine is equipped with a permanent magnet generator and operates without a gearbox. The machine contains Alstom’s Pure Torque design, which diverts undesired mechanical stress towards the tower and thus enhances the turbine’s work. The prototype turbine was installed at a site near the coast of Ostend city, western Belgium.

Alstom expects to secure final certification for the Haliade machine in the last quarter of 2014. Meanwhile, it will proceed with testing the unit in maritime environment and will seek to fine-tune operation and maintenance procedures.

Production of the 6-MW turbine will be carried out at Alstom’s turbine factory at France’s Saint-Nazaire harbour, seen to be operational early next year. The engineering group has so far agreed to sell 243 Haliade turbines for projects of French firm EDF Energies Nouvelles and US-based Deepwater Wind LLC.

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