Smaller scale turbines specifically for tropical areas or with high storm likelihood can feature tilt-down towers so the turbine can be lowered as a storm approaches.
In fact, Vergnet in France does just that, for such markets.
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
In 2009, 55 turbines with 136.2 MW replaced the majority of the 76 decommissioned turbines with 36.7 MW. Indeed a jump from 18 (23.94 MW) last year, but in 2007, it was 45 (103 MW). *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
however, to the degree offshore is being used in the UK to ignore onshore development, it is a false step. When onshore is being strongly developed, with significant annual capacity installations, then the pressure is off higher-risk offshore, and the industry can grow at a more healthy pace until it reaches maturity.
eggs, meet sole basket.
Hypothetically, it's possible the 126+ m rotor turbines need another generation or two to reach adequate performance levels. Offshore slows down or even halts a year or three, then what? (I'm not saying this is even likely, but there is no question the larger turbines are reaching unexplored territory. Even the 90-100m rotor turbines have not reached full maturity yet.)
Case in point, the Crown Estate is invested in the Clipper 10MW turbine. Clipper has an advanced design drive train, which took several years to reach operational status after first commercial installation. While many prominent engineering analysts now claim that Clipper is back on track, i personally believe there's not yet a long enough data period to be confident they've solved the technical problems. If that's the case with their 2.5 MW machine, what's to come with a 140m 10MW machine.
Clipper has assembled a top design team behind Amir Mikhail, and seems to have significant R&D funding secured. if a proper prototype, testing and data analysis period is allowed BEFORE rollout, we could have a winner. But the 2.5 was rolled out too soon, as are most turbines. (GE 2.5 an exception.) There's too much pressure to expand on offshore currently.
But J. is closer than I to industry sentiment, so i'll defer to his views here. "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage." - Anaïs Nin
Yes, but don't you get that windturbines are a horrible blight on the landscape. At least for the twits who still wish that they could go fox hunting.
Point taken. I imagine that you are right that the promise of what offshore might be able to do is being used to stop onshore from doing what we know it can.
Case in point, the Crown Estate is invested in the Clipper 10MW turbine.
140 meter rotors? That's big. What's the hub height on something like that? I suppose that if you are invested in offshore, that you may as well pump up the size as much as possible. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
As you may well know, Econcern went bust last year. Eneco took over their core activities, but I don't know about any plans in the pipeline... I don't expect much from companies as Nuon and Essent.
I'm still under the impression that there will be at least 3 new coal plants built. I don't find much news on this after a quick google search.
IOW: The Dutch suck at wind.
And there are actually plans for 4 coal plants... (RWE, Nuon, Electrabel and E.On)
A bit of good news at least.
