A state-of-the-art ground transmission testing and research platform for offshore wind turbines is set to revolutionize China’s wind power technology, according to experts at a recent international wind power technology conference.
The 40-megawatt wind turbine electrical and dynamic experimental platform, unveiled at the conference in Shantou, Guangdong province, marks a significant leap forward in China’s offshore wind power capabilities.
“This groundbreaking platform will enhance the reliability of wind turbine designs and facilitate the exploration of mechanical theories, leading to more accurate future simulation analysis,” remarked Qin Haiyan, secretary-general of the Chinese Wind Energy Association.
With an investment of approximately 1 billion yuan ($140 million), the platform is capable of simulating the real-world conditions experienced by a 40 MW offshore wind turbine under actual load conditions. This makes it the world’s largest and most advanced experimental research facility for ground transmission systems of offshore wind turbines.
“As wind power technology has advanced rapidly, the capacity of individual wind turbines has increased substantially over the past few years,” explained Qin, who also serves as vice-chairman of the World Wind Energy Association.
In the past, the transmission chain for wind power was rigid, but advancements have led to a more flexible approach, according to Qin. He emphasized that the platform will play a crucial role in supporting technological research and innovation.
“With the increasing forces acting on offshore wind turbines exceeding 30 MW, the load becomes exceedingly complex,” Qin noted.
Under these complex load conditions, the exact behavior and endurance of these turbines remain unclear, Qin elaborated. “Therefore, it is essential to rely on large-scale scientific facilities to conduct rigorous experiments,” he concluded.
The construction of this testing platform aligns with the ambitious plans of local authorities in Shantou, a coastal city with 396 kilometers of coastline, to establish an international wind power innovation port in the future.
Shantou possesses a unique advantage in developing the offshore wind power industry, boasting a long coastline with an average annual offshore wind speed of approximately 30 kilometers per hour, according to Wen Zhanbin, Party chief of Shantou.
A development report on the global offshore wind energy industry chain, released at the conference, revealed that China has established a comprehensive offshore wind power industry chain, accounting for 73% of global capacity.
The report further indicated that China currently holds a 60% share of the global market in terms of wind turbine capacity, a 64% share of the global blade capacity, and an 80% share of the global gearbox capacity.
China has emerged as the world’s leader in terms of cumulative installed capacity of offshore wind power, driving global offshore wind power development, according to the report.
The accelerated development of the global wind power industry is an absolute necessity to achieve climate goals, according to a declaration on building a global community of the wind power industry through cooperation and innovation.
The conference attracted approximately 600 government, institutional, and business delegates from over 20 countries and regions to discuss issues related to wind power technologies and international cooperation in the wind power industry.
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