The experimental GICON turbine in Germany has reached its full height of 365 meters, making it the tallest in the world, while the company says that operating at greater heights could double energy production compared with a conventional turbine of a similar diameter. This hypothesis still awaits verification after the official commissioning scheduled for November.
The final height of the experimental wind turbine developed by GICON in Schipkau, eastern Germany, has been completed, reaching 365 meters, or 1,197 feet, including the blades. The turbine is thus becoming the tallest wind turbine in the world and the second-tallest structure in Germany after the Berlin TV Tower.
The rotor hub is located at a height of 300 meters, or 984 feet above ground level. GICON is betting that the additional height will provide access to stronger and more consistent winds, potentially giving the turbine greater opportunities to generate electricity throughout the year.
What Changes in Practice?
The current turbine has a rated capacity of 3.8 megawatts, while plans for future versions indicate a capacity exceeding 7 megawatts. However, the company explains that the discussion of doubling production refers to the energy generated over time, not to doubling the turbine’s own rated capacity.
The project was built for the German Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, SPRIND, and is scheduled to be officially commissioned in November after the final work is completed. Until then, there are no operational data proving the actual amount of the increase in production.
Different Engineering to Reach This Height
Building the turbine required an approach different from relying on a crane capable of reaching the full height. GICON used a telescopic tower and a specialized lifting system to push the inner tower through the surrounding lattice structure, then secure it after extending it into its final position.
The Possibility of Adding a Layer Above Existing Wind Farms
The idea of GICON and SPRIND is not limited to creating new turbines at separate sites. The concept under consideration is to add what the two companies call a “second layer,” in which taller turbines operate above the conventional turbines of existing wind farms.
The current assessment estimates that wind farms in Germany could accommodate up to 4,000 high-altitude turbines, potentially adding generating capacity without developing new areas for wind farms. However, this figure is an estimate of a theoretical possibility, not an announced construction plan or implementation timetable.
Why Does This News Matter?
The project represents an attempt to address one of the practical limitations of wind power: the variation in wind speed and consistency with altitude. If operation proves that taller turbines actually achieve higher output, the technology could open a path to increasing the production of some existing sites while reducing the need to designate new areas. However, this will depend on the results of the experimental turbine, construction and maintenance costs, and the suitability of tall structures for different operating environments.
GICON and SPRIND are currently preparing to expand the design and are discussing its marketing with interested companies in the wind energy sector, with the goal of beginning serial production as soon as possible. Judging the idea’s commercial viability, however, first requires operating the Schipkau facility and measuring the electricity it actually produces.