MingYang Smart Energy launches MySE 16.0-242, the world’s largest offshore hybrid drive wind turbine
Offshore wind is undergoing transformational improvement as a key solution to the energy transition. The continuous iteration and evolution of wind turbine technology have enabled developers to venture into deeper waters and to tap further wind resources. MingYang Smart Energy is always motivated to drive this trend through innovation, and has reached a new milestone with the introduction of the new MySE 16.0-242, the world’s largest hybrid drive wind turbine.
Designed for high-wind IEC IB including typhoon-class IEC TC, the powerful MySE 16.0-242 features an exceptional nameplate capacity of 16MW, a 242m diameter rotor, 118m long blades, and a staggering 46,000m2 swept area equivalent of more than six soccer fields. With industry’s largest rotor and highest nominal rating, MySE 16.0-242 is set to move the boundaries of wind energy production even further. A single MySE 16.0-242 turbine can generate 80,000MWh of electricity every year, enough to power more than 20,000 households. In comparison, it produces 45% more energy than MingYang’s previous turbine model, the MySE 11.0-203.
The environmental benefit is also considerable: compared to coal-fired power generation, one MySE 16.0-242 can eliminate more than 1.6t million of CO2 emissions over the course of its designed 25-year lifespan, making it a strong contributor to achieving the goal of carbon neutrality. Extending the legacy super-compact design and Hybrid-Drive concept, MySE 16.0-242 builds on MingYang’s multiple smaller, light-weight offshore models, ranging from 5.5MW, 6.45MW, 7.25MW, 8.3MWto 11MW series. The nacelle weight of the MySE 16.0-242 is competitively low at less than 37t per MW. Compared to a heavier nacelle, its modest head mass allows for more efficient use of the tower and foundation construction, resulting in fewer purchased materials and logistics. Proven MingYang’s Hybrid-Drive transmission technologies, particularly the medium-speed planetary gearbox with load sharing and forced high precision main bearing lubrication, have been fully optimised and inherited to ensure the robustness and efficiency of this new turbine, as well as deliver excellent economic performance on both bottom-fixed and floating system applications. In addition, MySE 16.0-242 provides many other distinctive advantages by adopting novel offshore-dedicated features and best practice technologies. To begin, as a new feature over previous models, all power electronics and MV-transformer have been relocated up tower into the nacelle, simplifying cabling and enhancing system maintenance convenience. Secondly, an air-tight design protects the nacelle from harsh salt spray corrosion while yet allowing for internal natural aircooling, resulting in an ideal operational environment for reliable operation within the nacelle.
In summary, the MySE 16.0-242 is the start of the MingYang’s new 15MW+ offshore product platform. In the future, it is planned to grow into a portfolio of model variants that can adapt to various offshore settings, ranging from the typhoon-prone South China Sea to the constantly windy North Sea in Europe. “The launch of our new largest wind turbine, MySE 16.0-242, is an apt illustration of the three essential drivers to technology evolution – demand, combination and iteration”, says Qiying Zhang, President and CTO of Ming Yang Smart Energy. He continues, “In response to demand for anti-typhoon wind turbines in coastal Guangdong, MingYang systematically develops high-quality products by collaborating with global supply chain partners and integrating cutting-edge technologies from industries such as aerospace, materials, and big data. Over the years, we have gained over 10GW cumulative track record and iteration experience with Hybrid-Drive technology. These enable us to have a rapid learning curve in product R&D and position us well to become an offshore wind leader”, he states
MingYang is committed to growing its global presence and serving customers in all mainstream offshore wind markets including Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. As part of the key global strategies, MingYang established the business and engineering center in Hamburg, Germany and is also exploring developing overseas manufacturing facilities. MySE 16.0-242, which was recently certified by DNV and China General Certification Center(CGC) for design, is scheduled for full prototype roll-out in 2022, to be followed by prototype installation in the first half of 2023 and commercial production in the first half of 2024.