One of the world's biggest wind turbines with hybrid tower is being built at the wind test site in Grevenbroich, about 50 km west of Cologne. The innovative tower combines a lower segment consisting of long, narrow pre-cast concrete components made by Netherlands tower specialists Advanced Tower Systems (ATS) and an upper segment made of conventional steel elements. Altogether the turbine will measure 180 meters with hub height at 133 meters. The tower is being installed and will be operated by the ATS Projekt Grevenbroich company.

"This innovative tower enables a higher hub height to produce more energy at comparatively low overall cost. It's also light cargo," says ATS managing director Frans Brughuis, pointing out the many benefits of this pilot project. Compared to widespread hub heights of 100 meters, ATS system yields about 20% more energy. The higher expense incurred during installation is recuperated within about four years. The maintenance costs are very low. Over the long course of a project this ultimately means much lower electricity generation costs compared to today?s commercially available systems. At inland locations with lower wind speed that?s particularly important and so opens up new development potential for clean wind-generated power. "This innovative concept will make effective climate protection even more economically efficient than before," says ATS sales manager Johannes Bietz.

The various elements of the hybrid tower are designed to be easily transportable even to difficult locations, such as forests. The tower also stands out for its quick installation time and can be combined with different brands of components (nacelles, rotors, etc.).

Press release