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New blade retrofit also lifts AEP and suits noise-restricted sites, claims developer Biome Renewables German developer Schierloh Engineering has successfully trialled a new noise-reduction technology on one of its Enercon E-160 E3 turbines near Haemelhausen. The project involved replacing the turbine’s standard serrations with FeatherEdge, a blade-edge retrofit developed by Canadian firm Biome Renewables. The switch was made in February 2025, with noise measurements carried out in March and April by independent consultancy T&H Ingenieure in line with IEC standards. The results show a sound power level reduction of 2.1dB(A) in standard operating mode, according to Biome. Reductions were also recorded across all six noise-reduced operating modes, with no observed tonal noise, the company said. At residential locations, low-frequency reductions approached 3dB(A), according to Schierloh Engineering chief executive Soehnke Schierloh. “We already plan to outfit additional turbines which are currently running under heavy noise curtailments,” said Schierloh. FeatherEdge serrations are TÜV-NORD certified and differ from conventional sawtooth designs through their greater length and flexibility. They are shaped like a snake tongue. Biome Renewables claims the geometry and function work together to maximise noise attenuation while enabling better turbine performance. Field tests have already been completed on a 3MW turbine in France, a Senvion MM92 in Canada, and now on Enercon hardware in Germany. “With three very successful applications, we’re now scaling up commercial sales and talking with OEMs about making FeatherEdge a factory option,” said Biome Renewables founder and chief executive Ryan Church. The company is also offering turbine owners the opportunity to retrofit entire wind farms. Biome said the technology allows turbines to run in more productive operating modes without breaching noise limits, opening up opportunities for previously curtailed assets. |
