GE introduces new Sierra platform, next-generation 3 MW onshore wind turbine designed specifically for the North America region

United States, May 17 -- GE Renewable Energy announced Sierra, its newest onshore wind turbine platform designed specifically for the North America region. The 3.0-3.4 MW turbine features a 140-meter rotor and is offered with a variety of hub heights, including a <500' option. Sierra also includes GE's revolutionary two-piece blade, designed to improve logistics, installation and serviceability. The business has currently received more than 1 GW of orders for the turbine platform.GE has today manufactured, installed and commissioned its first site of Sierra turbines, which exceeded 98% availability faster than GE's previous onshore platform launches to date, and is operating with 4 points higher capacity factor, compared to GE's 2 MW platform.Sierra is built on the legacy of GE's bestselling 2 MW platform, which recently surpassed 30 GW of installed base globally. The Sierra platform launched with two prototypes, one in Lubbock, TX and one in Kamataka, India, with more than a year of successful run time on each. Sierra turbines will be manufactured at GE's Pensacola, FL manufacturing facility, with a significant portion of its components manufactured in North America. The 68.7m two-piece blades are manufactured by both LM Wind Power and TPI, enabling improved transportation logistics, installation and serviceability/upgrades. GE's Sierra platform includes a variety of key enhancements, including:High capacity factor turbines with reduced pads per site (+4 pts capacity factor with 15% less pads needed per 100 MW compared to 2 MW)GE's revolutionary two-piece blade for reduced logistics, improved site installation and improved serviceabilitySimplified machine head & electrical system, built off GE's 2 MW platform, including single main bearing, single piece down tower assembly (DTA), external pad mount transformer (PMT) and rail-shippable machine head - supporting ease of installation & serviceabilityOptimized 3 & 4 section towers for ease of transport & installation, including 500' tip height 81m tower option for FAA limited sitesCrane flexibility, optimized for readily-available 600-ton crane class to reduce cost & eliminate crane supply constraints; single blade & full rotor installation compatibleVariety of features & accessories to support diverse siting challenges, including bat acoustic deterrent, enhanced corrosion, noise reduction mode and moreShared pitch bearing from GE's legacy European platform fleet, with over a half decade of proven field operationGroundbreaking serviceability enhancements, including machine head material handling system with 400kg capacity, crane-less repair technology and rear-entry hub accessibilityGE Renewable Energy was recognized by the American Clean Power Association (ACPA) as the top manufacturer of wind turbines in the US in 2021, for the fourth year in a row. Of the total onshore wind installed nationwide, ACPA reported that GE technology was deployed in 50% of new capacity additions, as well as in 49% of new projects under construction or in advanced development that have selected an OEM. Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Pivotal Sources. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at contentservices@htlive.com