BACKGROUND
In the last few years, there was an increase in the use of renewable energy sources, including wind energy. The application of wind energy contributes to a lower consumption of fossil fuels, reducing its dependence on external energy sources. Its use avoids the emission per year of 32M tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
At the time, Sotavento was a pioneer in the installation of 25 wind turbines of 10 different models, becoming a reference as an experimental wind farm. After 23 years, there was an increase of wind in terms of power, design, and efficiency, which has left behind the wind turbines that were installed in Sotavento. To change this, the institution will carry out a partial repowering through the installation of two new state-of-the-art machines.
GOALS
The main goal is to replace 6 wind turbines from 2 new state-of-the-art machines, in order to:
- Increase the economic resources destined to maintain the installation operational, and to cover actions of general interest in the energy field.
- Improve the training of qualified technicians in latest generation turbine models.
- Be once again a technological showcase with machines of different technologies, power, and age, two decades after its inauguration.
- Reduce the number of wind turbines at the park, as well as its environmental impact, maintaining and improving the electricity production capacity.
What is more, this project aims to serve as a reference for other wind farms that, taking advantage of infrastructures, roads, wiring, substations, etc., decide to replace old units with others of greater power and efficiency, reducing their impact and improving their performance.
INSTALLATIONS
| Characteristics of new wind turbines to be installed | |
| Power of each wind turbine | 4.200 kW |
| Maximum hub height | 131,4 m |
| Maximum rotor diameter | 137 m |
| Blade tip height (ground reference) | 199,9 m |
| CT within the wind turbine structure | |
| Site class | II or III-A |
At that point, it will be an increasement of power in the wind farm, from 17.660 kW to 22.620 kW.
Sotavento has done a significant effort to achieve the environmental integration, considering the environmental impact associated with this type of facility.
CURRENT SITUATION
The project has a budget of more than 7,5 million euros, including the disassembly and recovery plan at the end of its useful life.
