Renewable energy industry hits major milestones

Renewables fully covered electricity demand in Greece for five consecutive hours for the first time, while the world’s largest wind turbine, manufactured by Siemens Gamesa, broke the world record with a 24-hour output of 359 MWh.

On October 7, the demand in Greece’s electric power system was covered 100% from renewable energy sources, according to the country’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO or Admie). The period lasted for at least five hours for the first time. At one point, a record 3.1 GW was online from renewables.

At one point on October 7, renewables accounted for a record 3.1 GW of active capacity in Greece

Earlier, the transmission system operator’s data showed that renewables excluding large hydropower plants accounted for more electricity output in the first eight months of the year than fossil fuels – 13.23 GWh against 13.15 GWh. It was also a first.

Siemens Gamesa announced that its SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine broke the world record in 24-hour output. The prototype, installed at the test center in Østerild in Denmark, generated 359 MWh. The company says the energy is sufficient for a mid-sized electric car to drive 1.8 million kilometers.

Siemens Gamesa is installing a prototype of an even larger offshore wind turbine

The SG 14-222 DD is the world’s strongest wind turbine in operation. It is designed for a nominal 14 MW, but it can run at up to 15 MW.

At Siemens Gamesa we are incredibly excited to start installation of our SG 14-236 DD #OffshoreWind turbine prototype! People drive progress at Siemens Gamesa, and so we caught up with Andre Dalby, Module Project Manager, on his work on the prototype ⬇️https://t.co/X067ZDf589 pic.twitter.com/fJrQLJmNEe

— Siemens Gamesa (@SiemensGamesa) October 11, 2022

The machine’s rotor has a diameter of 222 meters, translating to 3.9 hectares in swept area. The turbine will be deployed by RWE at its 1.4 GW offshore wind power plant Sofia in British waters and in three more projects.

Siemens Gamesa already has a larger offshore wind turbine. The rotor diameter of the SG 14-236 is 236 meters, with a swept area of 4.35 hectares. It is being installed in Østerild.