Germany-based Nordex has completed installation of a N90/2500 turbine in Hewitt, Minn. - the first turbine of this type to be installed in North America, according to the company. The operator, Wing River Wind LCC, will transmit the turbine's annual yield of 8.828 MWh of electricity into the electric grid owned by Minnesota Power.
Following the installation of this initial turbine, Nordex plans to install 21 additional turbines in Minnesota - resulting in a total installed capacity of 55 MW. This company expects these additional turbines to be operational by 2009.
The N90/2500 turbine, which has a rotor diameter of 90 meters, is equipped with numerous advanced features, Nordex says. Two automatic controls - torque control and pitch control - are designed to improve the turbine's control dynamics and optimize power production. The turbine also includes safety features such as ice sensors and an automatic fire-extinguishing system.
