Vattenfall to test new technology for offshore wind power

Vattenfall to test new technology for offshore wind power Vattenfall is planning a new large wind power station at Näsudden on southern Gotland. It will be equipped with a recently developed electrical system that is expected to reduce wind power costs in the future. Vattenfall is now continuing its programme for large wind power stations in the form of Näsudden III - the third generation of large wind power plants. The plant will be equipped with new technology designed for large offshore wind power stations. Näsudden III, however, will be located on land in order to facilitate evaluation and testing. The new wind energy concept, Windformer, has been developed by ABB and consists of a direct-coupled, high-voltage generator with a permanent-magnet rotor. Neither a gearbox nor a transformer is required with this design, which is expected to lead to reduced energy losses, lower operation and maintenance costs and a longer lifetime. This means a higher energy supply to the network and considerably lower generation costs. Näsudden III is a part of Vattenfall's investments in sustainable energy solutions and will be financed by Vattenfall, the Swedish National Energy Administration and ABB. It is estimated that the wind power station will be in place in 2002, providing that all the necessary permits are granted. "The project is part of our wind power strategy, which in part focuses on large offshore wind power stations with the aim of achieving competitive financial viability. At present, we are also preparing a permit application for three to seven wind power plants in Kalmarsund," says Göran Dalén, who is in charge of Vattenfall's wind power development programme. Vattenfall has been a forerunner in the construction and operation of large wind power stations. Näsudden I, with an output of 2 MW, was built in the early 1980s. This was replaced ten years later by Näsudden II, one of the world's largest wind power plants with an output of 3 MW. Rated output: 3 MW, reached at a wind speed of 13 m/s Wind range: 5-28 m/s Estimated annual generation: 8.2 GWh, based on an annual mean wind of 8.1 m/s This is equivalent to the electricity required to heat 410 detached houses or the domestic electricity consumed by 1 640 households. Hub height: 70 meters Rotor diameter: 90 meters Issued by Vattenfall's Press Office, telephone +46 8 739 50 10. For further information please contact: Jan Blix, Project Manager, Vattenfall, telephone: +46 8 739 62 84, mobile: 070-539 62 84. Göran Dalén, Vattenfall, telephone: +46 8 739 74 43, mobile: 070-539 74 43. Vattenfall is one of the largest energy companies in Europe, accounting for 25 percent of total electricity sales in the Nordic region. The total electricity generation is 85 TWh. Vattenfall is a leading operator of regional and local distribution networks serving 1,1 millions customers. The Group also conducts operations in the areas of heating and natural gas, as well as transmission services and consulting for the energy sector. Vattenfall's biggest customers are energy companies, industrial enterprises, and retail customers in the Nordic region. Vattenfall is also active in the Baltic countries, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Southeast Asia and South America. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2000/06/08/20040817BIT20480/wkr0001.pdf