Close up - first view of Siemens 4MW turbine

The machine represents a second upgrade of the initial 3.6MW geared SWT-3.6-107 platform introduced in 2004 and the current 3.6MW SWT-3.6-120 with enlarged rotor of 2009. Around 500 units of these two offshore models have been installed so far, with Siemens reporting a 1200-turbine order backlog.

The prototype has initially been fitted with a 120-metre diameter rotor, which is offered on the standard SWT-3.6-120. In early 2013 it will be refitted with an in-house developed 63-metre B63 blades to give the turbine a 130-metre rotor diameter.

The nacelle and tower structures are essentially upgraded 3.6MW variants, and the B63 blades are manufactured using in-house IntegralBlade technology eliminating shell bonding joints. Siemens retained the proven high-speed drivetrain concept but incorporates a new higher rated gearbox and introduced an optimised induction generator cooling system.

A 302W/m2 specific power rating represents one of the lowest values for current IEC class I offshore products while the specifications make the turbine potentially well suited for medium and high-wind speed onshore sites too. Although, Siemens chief technology officer Henrik Stiesdal said that such additional onshore market appetite for a machine of this size is hard to predict.

After extensive testing the SWT-4.0-130 will go on sale in spring 2013, with some pilot projects planned for onshore application and serial production start in 2015. One large offshore project where the new turbine model might be employed first is the Gemini 600MW project off the Dutch coast.

A key question for many in the wind industry is why Siemens decided for a new 4MW geared turbine, while having developed the more powerful 6MW direct drive platform. In response, Stiesdal admitted that bigger turbines offer obvious benefits especially in terms of saving on foundations and infrastructure costs. But he added "There are many old offshore permits to consider as well and the offshore wind industry suffers from a long planning horizon, posing unfortunate restrictions on turbine specifications and dimensions to be employed. Another practical parallel consideration was our 3.6MW turbine still had considerable structural capacity left and an evaluation showed that upgrading would involve rather moderate design and overall effort."

The new B63 Siemens blade forms part of a new-generation aero-elastically tailored slender blades and were a key enabler in combining improved performance with reduced turbine loading. A third and final reason for the 4MW turbine, Stiesdal stressed, is that 6MW turbine development should not be rushed. He added that the maximum ramp up rate is limited by parallel requirements for demonstration, intermediate product upgrades and optimising.

Speaking about the SWT-4.0-130's technology features, Stiesdal said that each time a new product is developed, a common idea in engineer’s minds is that all further possibilities have been exhausted already. He added: "Such perceptions are based upon extrapolation of current knowledge mirrored towards the future but most-often prove mistaken because some possible future gains are simply unknown.

"Unexpected and in reality non-predictable innovation potential therefore continues to surprise us. For example when we developed the B52 blade for the SWT-3.6-107 back in 2003 it fully stretched our technological capabilities. Today’s B63 blade weighs less despite being 11 metres longer and remarkably without having to use carbon. Also B75 blade mass is below the value we predicted a decade ago when it would have to be made in carbon."

He further explained that the upgrade follows familiar company lines like conducted with previous 1MW => 1.3MW and 2MW => 2.3MW platform upgrades. "We have built substantial record in upgrading machines and the first rule is always to change as little as possible, for fast time to market and limiting risks of failures and reduced platform reliability."

In a final remark, Stiesdal said: "The SWT-4.0-130 offers around 13% yield increase compared to the SWT-3.6-120 at typical 9-10m/s mean wind speed sites offering faster return on investment and superior CoE."