The first two high altitude 1.5 MW prototype wind turbines were successfully built up and connected to the grid in Xi Tie Mountains (around 3000 m above sea level) in the Qinghai Province this spring.
They have since maintained an average availability of 98.5% or above. Each wind turbine can generate 2.8 GWh annually, with an air density of .88 kg/m3 and average wind speed of 6.5 m/s.
The wind turbines feature larger blades, enhanced thermal insulation, as well as strengthened protection against lightening and radiation. Goldwind says the new features enables the wind turbines to withstand differences in wind density, frequent strikes by lightning and thunder, strong radiation from the sun and other challenging conditions.