Alstom launches onshore wind turbine to boost energy yield

At a wind speed of 7.5 m/s, the turbine delivers a net wind farm capacity factor of up to 42%- equivalent to 3,600 full-load hours each year - according to Alstom. The turbine has a rotor diameter of 122 meters and a swept area of 11,700 m2, the company said in a statement issued here.

"With the ECO 122 and other turbines in our ECO 100 platform, we're leading the development of the new generation of high power, high-efficiency turbines to increase value for our customers. Longer blades capture more power more
effectively, and with its swept area much larger than current generation machines, the ECO 122 has set a new standard for low wind sites around the globe," Alstom Senior Vice President of wind business, Alfonso Faubel, said.

The ECO 122 powered wind farm can reduce balance-of-plant costs by 10% to 15%, compared with a farm using typical 1.5 MW to 2 MW turbines, due to
fewer foundations, platforms and roads, and less cabling, the release said.

The first ECO 122 is expected to be installed in 2012, with the first commercial deliveries expected in early 2013.