Suzlon Energy Launches S175, India’s Tallest Wind Turbine
Suzlon Energy Limited has announced the launch of India’s tallest wind turbine, the S175 (5 MW), following its successful commissioning in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. This marks a technological leap, elevating the company’s product portfolio from its 2 MW and 3 MW wind turbine fleets to high-yield 5 MW category.
The company highlighted that S175 has been developed using over 30 years of experience and operational insights drawn from company’s 15.5 GW wind turbine fleet in India.
Specification of Suzlon Energy’s S175 Wind Turbine
Looking at S175’s structural specs, the Hybrid Lattice Tower* (HLT) stands at a height of 160 meters. When the rotor blade attains vertical peak, the entire structure reaches 247.5 meters in height. This advantage in height lets the turbine gain access to stronger and more consistent wind layers higher up in the atmosphere.
Other engineering specs include a 175-meter rotor diameter. To handle the intense aerodynamic forces, Suzlon integrated carbon-girder technology into the blade design. This composition maintains the required structural strength to prevent the blades from bending, while reducing blade weight to optimize rotation speed.
*A Hybrid Lattice Tubular (HLT) tower is used to mount wind turbine generator to the desired height. It consists of three components, namely a lattice tower, transition piece, and the tubular tower. The lattice tower is assembled on-site by welding steel profiles just above the foundation of the HLT tower, while the tubular tower forms the top part of the HLT tower. These two sections of the HLT tower are connected by means of a transition piece.
Suzlon’s Specialized Technology to Access Low-Wind Regions
Furthermore, the product is Firm and Dispatchable Renewable Energy (FDRE) ready, i.e., it is equipped with intelligent control systems designed for smooth integration into solar, wind, and battery storage to supply round-the-clock power. This solves one of the key hurdles in renewable energy, as wind turbines’ power generation depends on weather conditions, making power supply unpredictable. Being able to tap into hybrid renewable energy system overcomes this long-standing hurdle and allows a steady supply of power.
Generally, project developers prioritize high-wind regions as they are more commercially viable for wind project installation. S175’s design allows it to integrate wind projects in low and mid-wind regions as it can access stronger wind at an altitude where winds are stronger and steadier.
Commenting on S175’s launch, Mr. Girish Tanti, Executive Vice Chairman, Suzlon Group, said, “Its biggest breakthrough lies not just in significantly increasing energy generation but in its ability to make previously unviable wind sites viable, expanding the wind addressable markets.“
About Suzlon Group: Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Pune, Suzlon provides various services including designing, manufacturing, installing, and maintaining wind turbines.
