Siemens is launching a concrete wind turbine tower technology designed to capture stronger winds at higher altitudes.

The precast segmental concrete tower system—developed in partnership with Wind Tower Technologies of Boulder, Colorado—is designed to be economically scalable to heights in excess of 115 meters using modular formwork. This technology offers up to an additional 10% or more annual energy production compared to the typical 80-meter height, depending on climatic conditions.

The technology offers up to 10% more annual energy production than an 80-meter-high tower. Image credit: Pixabay. A feature of the tower system is the on-site match casting of annular precast tower segments—a technique that has been used in the construction of large bridge structures for the past 30 years—which eliminates the need to grout the joints or provide other special surface treatments between tower sections. Onsite casting of tower segments will also increase the use of local materials and labor and eliminate transportation costs associated with off-site fabricated tower sections.

“By match casting tower segments onsite, we are able to simplify and streamline the entire tower construction process—reducing costs throughout,” says Michael McManus, head of business development and strategy for Siemens' Onshore Americas unit.

Siemens developed the concrete tower technology through prototype testing in Texas and a subsequent single commercial turbine in Iowa. These efforts validated processes and paved the way for full commercial applications of the tower, including future taller towers.

In a separate undertaking, Siemens Corporate Technology has partnered with Iowa State University to create a new wind turbine tower design and manufacturing concept for harvesting wind energy at 120- to 140-meter rotor hub heights.