The world’s largest typhoon-resistant wind turbine was introduced

Chinese offshore wind turbine manufacturer MingYang Smart Energy introduced its new wind turbine prototype that can operate even in severe typhoons. This turbine, with a power of 18-20MW, is also one of the largest turbines in the world to date. The turbine called MySE 18.X-20MW is mind-blowing with its size.

Recently, at COP28, the world agreed to move away from fossil fuels. Therefore, we can say that the importance of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind is increasing. Contrary to the limitations in solar energy, wind turbines can operate at all hours of the day and produce continuous energy, even though their power outputs vary. For more energy output – at least for now – manufacturers continue to increase the size of turbines.

New turbine resistant to Category 17 typhoons

China-based MingYang Smart Energy draws attention with the breakthroughs it has made in recent years. Over a short period of time, the company has phased in the 16MW turbine currently being installed, and has also surpassed the 20MW ceiling with its recently introduced prototype. As you may remember, Ming Yang announced in recent weeks that they would build the largest wind turbine in history, the size of the Eiffel Tower, with a rotor diameter of more than 310 meters and a capacity of 22 megawatts.

The company now comes up with an offshore wind turbine called MySE18.X-20 MW. While the design of the turbine was developed from the 14-16 MW platforms currently deployed by the company, according to the press release, the turbine design is modular, lightweight and offers high efficiency. The diameter size of the turbine varies between 260-292 meters depending on the power rating, while the area swept by the turbines reaches nine football fields. The annual production capacity of the turbine is 80 million kWh and 80,000 MWh. Or, more simply, this means that the turbine alone will power 96,000 households. Additionally, the turbine will help reduce CO2 emissions by 66,000 tonnes.

MingYang Smart Energy also states that the turbine is equipped with “active anti-typhoon technology” that enables it to withstand Category 17 typhoons. Details of what this technology entails have not been revealed, but it means the turbine can withstand winds of 56-61m per second, making it the strongest typhoons the world has ever seen.