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Imagine a wind turbine so advanced it can withstand hurricanes and typhoons while harnessing their immense power to generate electricity. As Futurism reports, China has made this a reality with the installation of OceanX, touted as the "world's largest single-capacity floating wind turbine platform," according to its manufacturer, Mingyang Smart Energy.
Located in Guangzhou, this colossal wind power apparatus consists of two turbine rotors connected to a V-shaped stem. It has the capacity to generate 54 million kWh per year, enough to power approximately 30,000 homes, according to Mingyang.
The OceanX is built on an "ultra-high performance concrete" floating pad designed for offshore wind capture. Its blades have a remarkable diameter of 597 feet, Mingyang's website states.
What sets this turbine apart is its ability to endure winds as strong as 161 mph. Thanks to its innovative design, it can turn into the wind during storms to generate power. Traditional wind turbines shut down under excessive wind speeds, making OceanX's storm resilience a potential game-changer for the wind power industry.
Beyond China, other countries are also advancing wind turbine technology. GE's massive Haliade-X offshore wind turbine in the Netherlands is reportedly certified to withstand typhoons. In Colorado, engineers have drawn inspiration from palm trees to design flexible blades that can endure extreme high winds.
As global temperatures rise and hurricanes and typhoons grow more intense, these innovations will be crucial for sustainable energy development.
[Information sourced from Futurism]