Swedish wood technology company Modvion said today it is currently building the world’s tallest wooden wind turbine tower at a site in the Swedish municipality of Skara.
The project, which also represents Modvion’s first commercial installation, involves the construction of a 105-metre-tall tower made from laminated veneer lumber (LVL) for energy company Varberg Energi. The structure will accommodate a 2-MW wind turbine generator supplied by existing investor Vestas. Including the blades, the turbine’s total height will be 150 metres. It is expected to become operational by the end of the year.
“Wood enables building higher towers at a lower cost, which makes wind power more efficient since winds are stronger and more stable higher up. That gives you more electricity from each permit to build wind turbines,” said Otto Lundman, CEO and co-founder of Modvion.
According to the company, the use of laminated wood enables the construction of lighter towers of a modular design that are easier to transport, which helps avoid lengthy permit procedures. Last but not least, this technology also cuts manufacturing-related carbon emissions dramatically.
