GE’s renewable energy business has announced the introduction of its new space frame tower for multi-megawatt wind turbines.
The five-legged enclosed lattice tower from GE enables towers up to 139 meters to be built more cost-effectively in never before accessible locations, using a logistics-friendly model of standard shipping methods and on-site assembly. The space frame tower is being introduced with GE’s new 2.75-120 wind turbine and was demonstrated in a full-scale turbine at GE’s prototype site in Tehachapi, Calif. The lattice tower is assembled at wind farm locations and then wrapped in an architectural fabric to provide familiar solid structural aesthetics. The tower improves serviceability with increased space down-tower, maintenance-free bolting system and custom methods and fixtures for efficient installation and dismantling. For this tower half the amount of steel is needed compared to a tubular tower.
