Development of the 7.3 MW Mod-5A wind-turbine generator system

The General Electric Company Advanced Energy Programs Department is designing, under DOE/NASA sponsorship through Contract DEN 3-153, the MOD-5A wind-turbine system which must generate electricity for less than 3.75 ¿¿/kWh (1980 dollars). During the conceptual and preliminary design phases, the basic features were established as a result of trade-off and optimisation studies driven by minimising the system cost of energy. During the past year, the programme has been in the final design phase, and a reassessment to minimise risk has received strong emphasis in the design process. The programme has progressed to the point that an agreement of sale has been reached for the first unit.