Senvion seeks Horizon funds for 10-MW+ offshore turbine

A consortium led by German wind turbine maker Senvion SA (ETR:SEN) has submitted an application for Horizon 2020 funding to develop a 10-MW+ offshore wind turbine.

After unveiling in May that it was working on a 10-MW+ turbine, Senvion has now put together a pan-European partnership across the offshore wind value chain that "plans to develop, install, demonstrate, operate and test a technology platform for the first prototype of a double-digit rated capacity turbine in a realistic offshore environment."

It took almost a year to prepare the project, called ReaLCoE, with 150 participants from nine countries taking part, Senvion said today. Involved are research and development (R&D) organisations such as the DTU, ECN and Fraunhofer IWES, as well as utility EnBW (ETR:EBK).

Rather than sequential, the turbine manufacturer is now taking a modular and parallel approach to development, testing and certification. "Interchangeable components and parallel testing and certification will lead to a much faster time to market," said chief executive Juergen Geissinger. The CEO added that the levelised cost of energy (LCOE) will be substantially reduced through increased operational lifetime and lower service and maintenance requirements, while the modular turbine design will provide for easy customisation for different markets.

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