Siemens Energy has been awarded a major order by Minnesota Power for 64 units of the company's latest 3 MW D3 platform wind turbines to be installed at the Bison Wind Energy Centre near New Salem, North Dakota. The WTGs feature a 113 metre rotor and 92.5-metre hub height, which has increased their rating to 3.2 MW. Installation of the turbines is scheduled to begin in mid-June 2014, and commercial operation in December 2014. The scope of supply includes transportation, installation and commissioning, as well as a three-year service and maintenance agreement.
"With our innovative 3 MW direct drive turbine we are increasing annual energy output with a larger rotor and a higher tower," stated Dr Markus Tacke, CEO of Siemens Wind Power.
The blades will be manufactured at Siemens' facility in Fort Madison, Iowa, while the D3 nacelle component will be assembled in Hutchinson, Kansas.
“We're pleased to partner ... Siemens as wind energy production develops and matures," said Minnesota Power chief operating officer Brad Oachs. "We've integrated new direct drive technology into our Bison project while at the same time staying ahead of Minnesota's aggressive renewable energy standard."
By 2025, utilities in Minnesota are required to supply 25 % of their power from renewables. Operators of nuclear power plants have to reach 30% renewables even earlier, by 2020.
The 205 MW Bison 4 addition will increase Bison Wind Energy Centre's total output to nearly 500 MW. Siemens also supplied all of the wind turbines for the previous three phases of Bison, which went into commercial operation in 2010 and 2012.
Photo: Siemens direct drive wind turbine in 3 MW-class
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