Specifications of AWP 1.5-77 Wind Turbines
- AWP 1.5-77 wind turbines are installed worldwide.Paul Edmondson/Photodisc/Getty Images
The AWP 1.5-77 wind turbine, manufactured by Acciona at its plant in West Branch, Iowa, represents the company's commitment to wind technology as an alternative energy source. This wind turbine, one type of the AW-1500 series that are designed for strength and durability, has been manufactured by Acciona at its plants outside of the United States according to its specifications prior to the construction of the West Branch plant. - This specification refers to the distance from one end of the rotor, the propeller-looking device at the top of the tower that is turned by the wind, to the other end crossing through the center of the shaft. The AW-1500 series is manufactured with three different rotor diameters: 70, 77 and 82 meters; 230, 253 and 269 feet. The "77" in AWP 1.5-77 means that the wind turbine is built with the 77-meter diameter rotor.
- The number before the "77" represents the maximum capacity of the wind turbine, that is, 1.5 MW, or megawatts of power. That number does not represent the actual power produced, which is a function of wind speed and its sustained power, but rather the maximum power the wind turbine could produce. Wind farms, a collection of wind turbines in one location, are referred to by the total megawatts of all the wind turbines.
- According to Wind Power Generator, the tower of a wind turbine may appear to be significant part of the device, but in fact its main purpose is to raise the rotor blades to the appropriate height to capture the most wind energy. The AWP 1.5-77 specifications call for either a 60- or 80-meter height, 197 or 262 feet, with the determination of the proper height depending on the installation site and the wind conditions.
