REpower introduces new MM-series wind turbines

The wind turbines has been developed for the North American wind farm market and will be available in a 60 Hz version with an 80-meter tower height and rated power of 1.8 megawatts (MW).

The REpower MM100 is intended for use particularly in regions with low wind speeds, where it can increase the energy output thanks to its enlarged rotor 100 meters in diameter. The first pilot turbines are set to be installed as early as the end of 2011. Series production of the MM100 is scheduled for mid-2012.

REpower has produced the MM series since 2002, starting with the MM70 with a 70-meter rotor diameter. The following year, the Hamburg-based wind turbine manufacturer launched its MM82 turbine with an 82-meter diameter.

Following in 2005 was the MM92, a variant with larger rotors which is already employed successfully in numerous American wind farms, along with a cold climate version in Canada. Matthias Schubert, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at REpower Systems AG, explains: “When developing the MM100, we were able to build on our experience with over 1,700 MM-series turbines installed across the world. The turbine is based on the same reliable and maintenance-friendly concept as its predecessors.”

The USA and Canada in particular are places where REpower sees a market for the new turbine type with the extended rotor, as Schubert says. “The high net capacity factor of the turbine is something that our US customers find particularly interesting. Locations with limited network feed-in capacity are common in the USA. In these cases, it is better if the turbine achieves rated power quickly and thus makes the best possible use of the defined installation power.” Prototypes are scheduled to be installed in 2011 to make a precise evaluation of the advantages and take all the measures necessary to obtain certification.

New LM 48.9P Evolution rotor blades developed jointly by LM Wind Power and REpower are used for the MM100. The new turbines are also optimized in terms of their grid properties in comparison with the other models in the series. The power cabling, conductor rails and converter are modified to achieve this.

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