Q4 2022 Update: Wind Edition has listed the Top 10 Wind Turbine Generators sorted by the power rating of these Wind Turbines. This list is updated quarterly. This is a list of the most powerful wind turbine generators as of Q4 2022. Clearly, due to market trends, the very fast evolution of wind turbine generators is focused on Offshore Wind turbines. This list however is also including the most powerful onshore wind turbines.
1 – SG 14-222 DD, 14 MW (15 MW Power Boost), Offshore Wind Turbine from Siemens Gamesa
2 – Haliade-X, 14 MW, Offshore Wind Turbine from GE Wind Energy
3 – SG 11.0-200 DD, 11 MW, Offshore Wind Turbine from Siemens Gamesa
4 – V164-10.0, 10 MW, Offshore Wind Turbine from MHI-Vestas
5 – D10000-185, 10 MW, Offshore Wind Turbine from Dongfang Electric
6 – V174-9.5, 9.5 MW, Offshore Wind Turbine from MHI-Vestas
7 – V164-9.5, 9.5 MW, Offshore Wind Turbine from MHI-Vestas
8 – SG 8.0-167 DD, 8 MW, from Siemens Gamesa
9 – E-126 7.580, 7.5 MW, Onshore Wind Turbine from Enercon
10 – Cypress 6.0-164, 6 MW, Onshore Wind Turbine from GE Wind Energy
To understand the context of this fast evolution, one needs to remember that the output power of a typical wind turbine generator (WTG) back in 2014 was around 3 – 5 MW, however, this number for projects under execution is around 13 – 15 MW today and even 18 MW for projects under planning.
The full list of Top 10 Wind Turbine Generators
This list is under further development and we will add further information on Rotor diameter, IEC Class, Drivetrain and deployed Wind farms, and even jacket structure type soon.
| Ranking | Manufacturer | Model | Power rating (MW) | Type | Deployment status | Deployment date |
| 1 | Siemens Gamesa | SG 14-222 DD | 14 | Offshore | Prototype | |
| 2 | GE Wind Energy | Haliade-X | 14 | Offshore | Prototype | |
| 3 | Siemens Gamesa | SG 11.0-200 DD | 11 | Offshore | Commercially deployed | April 2022 |
| 4 | MHI-Vestas | V164-10.0 | 10 | Offshore | Upgrade of current model | |
| 5 | Dongfang Electric | D10000-185 | 10 | Offshore | Prototype | July 2020 |
| 6 | MHI-Vestas | V174-9.5 | 9.5 | Offshore | Prototype | |
| 7 | MHI-Vestas | V164-9.5 | 9.5 | Offshore | Commercially deployed | December 2019 |
| 8 | Siemens Gamesa | SG 8.0-167 DD | 8 | Offshore | Commercially deployed | April 2020 |
| 9 | Enercon | E-126 7.580 | 7.5 | Onshore | No longer offered for sale | |
| 10 | GE Wind Energy | Cypress 6.0-164 | 6 | Onshore | Prototype |
Top Conceptual Wind Turbine Generators, Under Development
In addition to these Wind Turbine Generators, there are at least 3 major models under conceptual development. Of course one of the limiting factors in the efficiency level of WTGs is the Betz Limit.
| Ranking | Manufacturer | Model | Power rating (MW) | Type | Deployment status | Deployment date |
| 1 | Mingyang Wind Power | MySE 16.0-242 | 16 | Offshore | Concept | |
| 2 | Vestas | V236-15.0 MW | 15 | Offshore | Concept | |
| 3 | Mingyang Wind Power | MySE 11-203 | 11 | Offshore | Concept |
What is Wind Energy & how is Wind created?
Wind turbine generators function on a basic principle, instead of using electricity to make wind, similar to fans, wind turbines turn wind into electricity. The wind turns the blades of a turbine around a rotor, which again spins a generator, which creates electricity. The wind is actually a form of solar energy caused by a combination of three concurrent events [1].
- Uneven temperature of the atmosphere (sun heats the atmosphere unevenly)
- Irregularities of the earth’s surface
- The rotation of the earth
Wind flow patterns and speeds vary greatly across the world and are dependent on bodies of water, vegetation, and differences in terrain. Wind Energy has been historically used for various purposes from sailing, to flying a kite, and now generating electricity.
What is a Wind Turbine Generator (WTG)?
A wind turbine generator works with the force of the wind. Moreover, the kinetic energy of the flowing wind transforms into electrical energy by rotating turbine blades and the coupled generator. The wind turbine blades are similar to the wings of an airplane or helicopter blades. Where the same principle of lift and drag [2] makes the wind turbine rotate to produce electricity.
The main resource to operate a wind turbine is the wind itself. Which varies all the time as it flows depending on the time of day, month, season etc. Thus capturing most wind energy in any location is not a straightforward task. So, to make a wind turbine work, the next two points are essential. You can read more about WTG & its types below.
WTG Efficiency & BETZ limit?
Did you know?
Wind Edition publishes this trending top 10 Wind Turbine Generators article quarterly. In addition to that we also have an interactive map of all major offshore wind farms globally.
On our sister website, Solar Edition, we also publish trending articles with the new top 10 PV solar panels quarterly since 2019.
- Quarterly, Top 10 solar panels are sorted by high efficiency of the PV panels.
- Quarterly, Top 10 solar panels for industrial-scale, 72 cells (Q1,2,3,4)
Author: Shahab Moghadam
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Source: @Wind Edition
Photo: @Wind Edition
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‘All rights to go to the author of the news & image as mentioned above’
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References
[1] How Do Wind Turbines Work? , Energy.gov
[2] Modelling of a Wind Power Turbine, ResearchGate
