|1 November 2016|
Germany
The country spearheading the global transition to renewable energy is set to pioneer a clean energy first.
General Electric (GE) Renewable Energy and Max Bögl Wind AG have confirmed they will build the world’s first wind plant integrated with pumped storage hydro-electric power in Germany’s Swabian-Franconian Forest.
Due to be operational by the end of 2018, the groundbreaking project will combine the two renewable energy sources, with the base and surrounding area of each GE wind turbine tower acting as a water reservoir. Once installed the four GE turbine units – at 246.5 meters – will become the tallest wind turbines in the world to date. The wind turbine generators will sit at a hub height of 178 meters, while the lower 40 meters of each tower and its surrounding area will be utilised as active water reservoirs to store energy
Anne McEntee, President & CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind business, said, “We are very excited to collaborate with Max Bögl on this pilot project; a first for the industry. We are committed to exploring innovative renewable energy technologies that have the potential to improve grid flexibility in Europe and around the world.”
