In a groundbreaking achievement, Sany Group, a leading Chinese multinational known for its heavy equipment manufacturing, has unveiled what it claims to be the world’s largest onshore wind turbine. Announced on October 9, the 15-MW turbine has been installed at a site in Tongyu, Jilin Province, marking a significant milestone in renewable energy technology.
Sany Group stated that the turbine is a prototype that will undergo rigorous testing over the next year to ensure its reliability and performance. Dubbed the SI-270150, this model boasts the highest single-unit capacity for an onshore turbine, along with the largest rotor diameter globally, measuring an impressive 270 meters.
The turbine is designed for longevity, with a projected operational life of 25 to 30 years. Its blades, each stretching 131 meters in length, are crafted with advanced engineering techniques. The SI-270150 employs a lightweight design coupled with intelligent load reduction technologies, aimed at decreasing overall load during operation while facilitating efficient long-distance transportation.
Sany’s innovative drivetrain features a dual tapered roller bearing (TRB) integrated main shaft support system, enhancing the turbine’s load-bearing capacity and stability. The company highlighted that the first of the 131-meter-long blades was produced in January at the Bayannur Intelligent Industrial Park.
Addressing challenges associated with longer blades, Sany officials noted that the increased length demands higher levels of stiffness and strength to prevent issues like stall and flutter, which can lead to vibration or even blade failure. To tackle these challenges, Sany has implemented an optimized airfoil design characterized by increased thickness and a blunt trailing edge, significantly improving the structural integrity of the SY1310A wind turbine blade.
In addition to these advancements, Sany has incorporated several cutting-edge technologies into its blade manufacturing process. This includes self-designed fiberglass pre-quilting technology, long-distance automatic infusion for large composite blades, and three-dimensional design technology for trailing edge blind bonding inserts. These innovations transform traditional manual manufacturing into an intelligent, digital production process. The use of recyclable polyurethane structural components further enhances the sustainability of these ultra-long blades.
Sany Group’s announcement follows a trend of Chinese companies leading in renewable energy technology, as they have already developed the largest offshore wind turbines and the biggest floating offshore wind platforms globally. This latest achievement underscores China’s commitment to advancing wind energy solutions and contributing to a greener future.
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