Nordex installs first N90/2500 in the US

The date is set for the beginning of June 2007, when the first N90/2500 HS is due to go on grid in North America. In Hewitt, Minnesota, one of the most powerful turbines in the USA will then be producing clean energy. In 2006 the average capacity of the 1,532 machines installed in the US amounted to around 1.6 MW. The capacity of the turbine now installed by Nordex stands at 2.5 MW. The operator, Wing River Wind LCC, will be feeding the machine’s annual yield of 8.828 MWh of electricity into the grid belonging to Minnesota Power. After implementation of this initial Nordex turbine, 21 additional turbines are planned to be installed in Minnesota resulting in a wind development with a total installed capacity of 55 MW which is expected to be operational by 2009.

With the installation of the N90/2500 wind turbine, the Nordex Group has completed its first project involving a multi-megawatt turbine in the USA on schedule. This turbine is equipped with state-of-the-art solutions: among others, the new control technique “Nordex AP” comes into operation. Two automatic controls – the torque control and the pitch control – are coupled for improving the control dynamics, for optimizing the hysteresis behaviour and for covering particular power optimized operational conditions. For this further development of the Nordex Control 2 and the converter technology several international patents have been applied.

Further, a personal hoist makes it possible to reach the nacelle in comfort, a Condition Monitoring System acts as an early warning system for all-round protection against unforeseen component wear. Ice sensors and an automatic fire-extinguishing system round off the turbine's safety package. The electrical features of the N90/2500 kW fulfill the local grid connection rules and the turbine is certified and supplied as a 60 Hz version.

The N90/2500 is a wind turbine that has proved itself in operation, and which, with a rotor diameter of 90 metres, achieves high yields across the entire wind spectrum thanks to its designed performance characteristics. The N90/2500 HS now installed is the basic “high speed” version for strong-wind locations. In Hewitt the average wind speed at 80 metres hub height is approx. 8 m/s.

The Nordex N80/N90 series is currently one of the top-selling wind turbines made by the Nordex Group. The successful installation of the wind turbine in the USA underlines Nordex’s international strategy to extend its operations in North America. Here in particular, the high average wind speeds make the installation of wind parks comprising large and powerful turbines an attractive investment.

Nordex – Windpower 2007 booth 101
As a technological leader among suppliers of megawatt turbines, Nordex benefits particularly from the global trend towards large-scale wind turbines. The product range includes one of the largest series wind turbines in the world (N80/N90 2,500 kW) today some 400 of these turbines are in operation worldwide. This means that Nordex has a crucial edge in terms of experience in operating large turbines compared to most of its competitors in the sector. Overall, Nordex has around 3,000 machines with a capacity of more than 3,000 MW installed worldwide (January 2007). With exports accounting for around 80 percent of its business, Nordex AG also holds a strong position in international high-growth regions. The Company has offices and subsidiaries in 18 countries around the world.

For more information, please contact:
Nordex AG
Felix Losada
Tel: +49 40 500 98 - 100, Fax: +49 40 500 98 - 333