Laying of the foundation stone for the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine
On 19 September, the foundation stone was laid in Klettwitz, Brandenburg, for the world's tallest wind turbine: the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine. With a hub height of 300 metres and a total height of around 360 metres, the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine represents a technological breakthrough in wind energy and marks a significant milestone in the expansion of renewable energies.
The high-altitude wind turbine will make it possible to utilise the stronger and more constant winds at high altitudes, which have so far been inaccessible to conventional wind turbines. This can lead to more than double the energy yield compared to existing wind turbines. The project is being realised by GICON® on behalf of beventum GmbH, a subsidiary of the Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovations (SPRIND). Commissioning is planned for 2025.
Michael Kellner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, was already on site for the inauguration of the world's tallest wind measurement mast in Klettwitz. It was only through the novel measurements made possible by this mast that the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine could be realised. After Klettwitz, Jüchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, is the second stop for the GICON® high-altitude wind measurement mast. On the RWE site, it will measure the local wind conditions in order to identify further locations for the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine. In the future, the calibrated LiDAR systems will make it possible to measure without the 300-metre-high wind measurement mast. Michael Kellner on the groundbreaking: ‘Innovations funded by the federal government are becoming a reality in Brandenburg. The high-altitude wind turbines are a shining example of this. I am pleased that the first high-altitude wind turbine is being built in Schipkau. It is important to me that local people benefit. Thanks to taxes, the local communities can invest in public life with long-term revenues.’
Prof. Jochen Großmann, founder and CEO of GICON®, explains: ‘With the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine, we are breaking new ground in wind energy. This system exploits the advantages of high-altitude winds and can be operated at locations that were previously unsuitable for wind power. In line with our motto, Engineering the Future, we are proud to be making a significant contribution to the energy transition with this development, while also promoting the local economy.’
Dr Martin Chaumet, Managing Director of beventum GmbH, adds: ‘The first high-altitude wind turbine is a real milestone in wind energy and a flagship for Germany as a business location. With this innovation, we are no longer dependent on certain areas, but can go where wind energy is lacking. In addition, we can use existing locations with a second level. This will solve many of the problems we have faced so far. This project demonstrates the courage and willingness to take risks that are necessary to bring innovations to life.’
In his speech, Axel Vogel, Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Climate Protection for the State of Brandenburg, emphasised the importance of the project for the region: ‘Brandenburg is already a pioneer in renewable energies. With the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine, we can now also say that the tallest wind turbine in the world is located in Brandenburg. The construction of wind turbines and thus a successful energy transition requires the acceptance of the local population. This is particularly challenging for such tall structures. The necessity of such a facility must be well justified and publicly communicated. The model project should also provide insights in this regard.’
Siegurd Heinze, District Administrator of Oberspreewald Lausitz, welcomes the local advantages of the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine: ‘For Brandenburg, the GICON® high-altitude wind turbine represents an important step towards a sustainable future. In addition, there is the local added value, which not only offers the region climate-neutral electricity, but also creates and secures new jobs. This also ensures acceptance of this flagship project by the local population.’
Assembly of the first tower elements will begin this year. The GICON® high-altitude wind turbine is seen as a flagship project in the Lusatia region and promises to pave the way for further developments in the field of renewable energies in Germany.