Envision Energy, a Chinese leader in green technology, has announced a major advancement with its two-blade wind turbine, revealing that it has achieved over 500 days of stable operation and a remarkable 99.3% availability rate. This prototype is built on the Model X platform and utilizes high-speed DFIG technology, showing performance comparable to traditional three-blade turbines. After years of development and extensive testing, this turbine offers a promising alternative for wind energy solutions, particularly in areas with logistical constraints.
Envision Energy’s two-blade onshore smart turbine prototype has completed over 500 days of stable operation. The company announced the turbine achieved a remarkable availability rate of 99.3 percent while recording 2,444 hours of Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and reaching 3,048 full-load equivalent hours per year, matching the output of traditional three-blade turbines at the same site. This innovative design has successfully overcome historical challenges associated with two-blade models and proven itself a viable alternative to conventional systems.
Developed on Envision Energy’s Model X onshore platform, the turbine represents over a decade of research and refinement. It features a modular design and high-speed DFIG (Doubly-Fed Induction Generator) technology, which enhances stability and promotes efficiency. The lightweight design of the prototype delivers a powerful, integrated energy solution suitable for a broad range of renewable power applications. Field tests have confirmed the design’s readiness for commercial use, demonstrating stable performance even in demanding conditions.
This breakthrough is expected to renew interest in two-blade turbine technology, which has been historically neglected due to balance and structural issues. However, Envision Energy has refined its two-blade concept over the past 13 years, beginning with the development of a 3.6 MW offshore turbine called the Game Changer in 2012. The prototype was installed in 2013 and underwent months of testing and nearly two years of real-world operation at the company’s smart wind power verification center.
In addition to regular testing, the turbine was evaluated using a multi-degree-of-freedom loading rig, one of the industry’s first, enabling engineers to simulate numerous operational conditions to optimize performance and stability. According to Yimin, Envision has redefined wind power innovation by overcoming significant technical challenges such as excessive system vibration and load imbalance that have historically impeded two-blade designs.
The systematic planning, testing, and validation of all design parameters have ensured the technological maturity and readiness for commercial deployment. The two-blade turbine design offers various practical advantages, including fewer components, lower weight, and improved transportability. This can result in cost and logistical benefits, particularly in remote or developing regions where bulky three-blade systems are impractical due to infrastructure constraints.
Lou Yimin, senior vice president and chief production officer of Envision, believes that this technology could facilitate broader adoption in areas that lack the infrastructure for traditional wind systems. In conclusion, this advancement reaffirms Envision Energy’s leadership role in global wind innovation and underscores its commitment to accelerating the transition to net zero through next-generation clean energy technologies.
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/chinas-secret-2-blade-wind-turbine-revealed