Siemens introduces powerful wind turbine for low to medium wind speeds

At the European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC) in Marseille, Siemens Energy announces the arrival of the SWT-2.3-101 which is ideally suited to sites with low to medium wind speeds.

With a rotor diameter of 101 meters, the new wind turbine will provide more power at lower wind speeds, significantly increasing the return on investment of wind farms. The new SWT-2.3-101 wind turbine is ready for delivery.

Low to medium wind market segments are expected to grow substantially in the future. The low-wind market, alone, is expected to represent one third of the total global wind power market in the coming years. “The new SWT-2.3-101 wind turbine completes our 2.3-megawatt (MW) class product family. We are confident that the new machine will set the industry standard for quality and reliability in low to medium wind markets,” said Andreas Nauen, CEO of the Siemens Wind Power Business Unit. “The new wind turbine will open up a range of potential new sites for our customers, as they can now generate higher returns in the increasingly important low-wind market segment.”

The SWT-2.3-101 machine will be equipped with Siemens’ new 49-meter rotor blades that are produced using the proprietary IntegralBlade manufacturing process, which casts blades in one piece in a closed process. This unique process eliminates any weaknesses from the glue processes used in the manufacturing of traditional blades. With a diameter of 101 meters, the rotor of the new SWT-2.3-101 has a swept area of 8,000 square meters, which equates to one-and-a-half football fields.

Reliability is a trademark of Siemens wind turbines. The new turbine is based on the design of the widely deployed 2.3-MW family, giving buyers an extra level of security for their investments. The rugged structural design, combined with automatic lubrication systems, internal climate control and a simple generator system without slip rings, contributes to providing exceptional reliability. The SWT-2.3-101 is designed for long service intervals to further reduce servicing and maintenance costs.

Forecasts suggest that sites with low to medium wind speeds will continue to be the major source of growth within the wind industry. Being able to generate more power with less wind creates new opportunities for energy suppliers and allows greater flexibility when choosing locations for their wind projects. The SWT-2.3-101 turbine will therefore be a major strategic asset for energy providers looking for greater returns from low to medium wind speed sites.

Wind power represents a key part of the Siemens environmental portfolio which generated €19 billion sales in 2008.

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2008 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR22.6 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR33.4 billion and posted a profit of EUR1.4 billion. On September 30, 2008, the Energy Sector had a work force of approximately 83,500.

Siemens AG
Press Office Energy
Alfons Benzinger
Tel. +49 9131/18-7034
Fax: +49 9131/18-7039
mailto:alfons.benzinger@siemens.com
Reference Number: ERE 200903.030 e