Suzlon makes country’s longest wind turbine blade

Renewable energy solutions provider Suzlon Group today said it has designed and manufactured the country’s longest wind turbine blade at its Padubidri rotor blade unit.

The advanced blade (SB 63) measures 63 metres in length and has been specifically developed for Suzlon’s new S128 wind turbine family with a rotor diameter of 128 metres, 1.5 times taller than the India Gate monument in terms of height, the company said in a statement.

The blade has been engineered with a carbon girder which provides the capability to utilise thinner aerodynamic profiles and provides higher lift with less drag, it added.

The S128 series offers 33 per cent more swept area (12,860 m2) and is expected to deliver 32 per cent more energy generation compared to the S111.

These rotor blades will be transported using an innovative two fold transport system, which will use a specialised Adapter Trailer’ for the first time in India, which ensures safe and unbound manoeuvrability through hilly terrain while transporting the long blades, the statement added.

J P Chalasani, Group CEO, Suzlon Group, said: It has been our continuous endeavour to reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCoE) by leveraging technology. Our R&D efforts are focused on developing technologically advanced and innovative products. The new blade will offer higher aerodynamic performance and improved annual energy production (AEP) and will harness the optimal available wind resources.

Duncan Koerbel, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Suzlon Energy, said: The SB 63 blade is the longest and most efficient aerodynamic blade Suzlon has ever produced. We have introduced carbon fibre in the new generation of blades. This simultaneously reduces the weight of the blade and allows us to design even more aggressive airfoils. This creates a win-win solution for our turbine and our clients.