Wind turbine designers believe that offshore installations are the most energy-productive, but they must be built to withstand the sea’s harsh elements.

The Future is in the Wind

Manufactured by REpower Systems AG of Hamburg, the 5M towers 120 meters above-ground and produces five megawatts of electrical power. With its three-bladed, 126-meter diameter blade span, the 5M is not only the largest, but also one of the most efficient wind turbines in the world, according to the manufacturer.

Throughout its design phase, the 5M presented significant technical challenges in several different fields. One of the most crucial was the design, manufacture and installation of a bearing system for the 1.5-meter diameter rotor shaft that supports the 130-ton, three-bladed rotor.