Siemens is the world leader in supplying clean energy. They focus mainly on installing wind turbines to provide companies with a clean energy alternative. Around June of this year, they installed a prototype version of a wind turbine that utilizes “direct drive technology”. This technology reduces the parts and weight significantly for the wind turbine and also allows the turbine to produce more megawatts. This technology was designed by Siemens and the prototype wind turbine, utilizing this technology, is set to be mass produced and ready for the public by 2014 [1].
The design of this prototype demonstrates that there are great lengths still to be gained in wind turbine technology. There are some pros and cons with this technology, but with the performance of the wind turbines increasing more companies will start to consider using this alternative energy source at an increasing rate. I believe this leap in technology with inspire more leaps in clean energy technology and generate a buzz about how clean energy is viable given more time and dedication to its technological advancement.
THE PROTOTYPE:
Name: SWT-6.0 120Megawatts Produced: 6 (the older version produced 3.6 MW)
Weight: 350 tons
Location Built: Denmark
Current Status: Over the next three years Siemens will conduct an extensive commissioning and trial operation process. This will include installing more prototype turbines and conducting performance optimization tests.
Projected Release Date: 2014
PROS:
· It is an environmentally friendly energy
· Uses wind’s kinetic energy to generate power, which is not a limited resource
· No hazardous chemicals involved
· They can be built on land or offshore
CONS:
· Not available to everyone
· Costs more to generate electricity
· The pose a danger to birds, because they are built very high in order to capture more wind
· Needs large amounts of land and the land needs to be generally flat in order for them to be fully functional
Siemens has dedicated a large portion of their business to build wind energy because of its business sense. On their website, Siemens states, “With highly efficient, solid and reliable wind turbines; Siemens Wind Power offers a solution to meet energy needs and environmental awareness” [2]. Meeting power needs with the environment in mind. This is what sustainability is determined to build, a world where human needs are met and the environment is unharmed.
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