Siemens' new direct-drive low wind turbine has reached the prototype testing stage. The onshore model SWT-3.15-142, with a rotor diameter of 142 meters has successfully passed prototype approval and has now been erected at the Drantum wind test site in Jutland, Denmark. The IEC Class IIIA wind turbine is the first Siemens model to be equipped with rotor blades based on hybrid-carbon technology. With tower configurations allowing hub heights of up to 165 meters and 69 meter rotor blades the SWT-3.15-142 will set new standards in energy yield. The low wind turbine SWT-3.15-142 is part of the onshore direct drive product platform and uses the same nacelle as other models like the SWT-3.6-130 including major components like the hub, generator, cooling- and electrical systems. Specific settings of the Siemens Integrated Control System (SICS) and the lightweight 142 meter rotor allow the new SWT-3.15-142 to reach an outstanding efficiency. Even at average wind speeds of only six meters per second, it harvests an energy yield of ten gigawatt hours per year. "In our extended onshore product portfolio, the SWT-3.15-142 plays an important role since it is our first IEC Class IIIA wind turbine for this platform," said Morten Pilgaard Rasmussen, Head of Technology at Siemens Wind Power. "With LM’s hybrid-carbon blades and our successful direct drive technology this model incorporates proven and highly efficient technology in all components and we are confident that we can maintain short time to market and have this product ready for serial production by the end of 2017." Installation of the SWT-3.15-142 has been completed with the rotor lift last week. Commissioning work will be finished with the turbine being fully operational by the end of March. The focus of the testing program of the prototype is on blade and performance evaluation.