Days after a record-setting 108-metre wind turbine blade came onto the market with the launch of OEM Siemens Gamesa’s giant 15MW offshore turbine, a new-look model with a profile just eclipsing it has been unveiled by German engineering outfit Aerodyn Energiesysteme.

The 111-metre design employs innovative ‘hybrid’ carbon-and-glassfiber reinforced polymer spar caps as part of the internal structure of the unit to reduce the need for the high-price carbon-fiber used to stiffen and strengthen blades, but otherwise has placed a “high emphasis” on field-proven materials and fabrication technologies.