GE has introduced its 4.1-113 wind turbine, a four-megawatt class machine that is optimized for offshore use and is designed to bring a new level of reliability to the offshore wind industry. GE has signed a contract to supply a 4.1-113 wind turbine, along with associated services, to Göteborg Energi for installation in the Gothenburg, Sweden harbor in the second half of 2011, GE announced at the European Wind Energy Association’s EWEA 2011 today. This project is supported by the Swedish Energy Agency through its technology program, demonstrating its interest in leading offshore technology.

With fewer moving parts, the direct-drive technology provides a simple, reliable design with built-in redundancy and partial operation for major components, all focused on keeping turbines operating reliably at sea. The direct-drive technology eliminates costly gearbox parts, lowering operating expenses, and also relies on an innovative modular approach to maximize in-situ repair and reduce the need for large repair vessels. The 4.1-113 blade design is optimized to maximize energy capture.

PowerWind GmbH has sold another 10 wind turbines to Bulgaria. The German manufacturer is thus strengthening its position in the Bulgarian community segment with project sizes of up to 10 MW. The turbines of the type PowerWind 56 with a rated  power output each of 900 kilowatt will be installed by the end of 2011 at various locations on the Black Sea (Hadji Dimitar, Poruchik Chunchevo) and further inland (Stara Kresna, Stara Zagora).

Five of the turbines are for the experienced Bulgarian project developer MTK Group, three for the company Ruah ODD and two for Trakia Ecoenergia Ltd.

Wärtsilä will supply the world’s largest gas engines for a new Turkish power plant with a combined output of 135 MW. When the project is completed, Wärtsilä’s generating capacity in Turkey will exceed 3 GW. Approximately 85 per cent of these plants will be running on natural gas.

The scope of supply covers seven Wärtsilä 18V50SG natural gas fuelled engines with a combined output of 135 MW of electricity. The order has been placed by Odas Elektrik Uretim, an independent power producer (IPP) for its new plant at Urfa in south eastern Turkey. The plant is scheduled for completion in the fall 2011, and will supply power to the national grid.

The Wärtsilä 18V50SG spark-ignited gas engine is the largest gas powered combustion engine generating set in the world. It reaches an exceptionally high power plant net efficiency rating of more than 50 per cent in combined cycle mode.