DyNaLab & Technology Development
Within the scope of its publicly promoted research project DyNaLab (Dynamic Nacelle Laboratory), Fraunhofer IWES is working on a large-engineering test stand for complete nacelle of wind power plants. For the first time in Germany, beginning in 2013, the DyNaLab will be a realistic test environment that is available to all wind power system  manufacturers in the megawatt range so that they can carry out meaningful laboratory tests for assessing and streamlining existing and future turbine designs. The technical requirements for this test and experimental platform were defined in close cooperation with the wind power industry and research & development partners. Within this department,  technological developments and research in proximity to industry on the mechatronic drive train subsystem will be another focus in the future.

Simulating Various Network States
This pod test stand with a planned drive output of approximately 10 MW will have additional equipment for simulating various network states to replicate fault ride through scenarios and compatibility tests with various grid codes. On the one hand, the fact that it is designed for hardware-in-the-loop operation will make it possible to realistically simulate dynamic loads on the rotor shaft. On the other hand, this makes it possible to replicate the conditions at the network in-feed point. The setpoints for test stand regulation are calculated in real-time with the aid of turbine and wind simulation models.

Direct or Hybrid Drive Topologies
The drive train department’s research & development work is focused on direct or hybrid drive topologies, i.e., compact drive train designs with slow-moving direct drives or built-in low-transmission drive solutions and medium-fast generators. The special focus is on streamlining existing and developing new types of generators, mechanical integration, enhanced magnetic circuits and using new materials for electromechanical engineering. Triggering techniques aligned with the generator design for the mediumvoltage range, detailed loss analyses and analyses of the thermal household round out this picture.

Beyond this, the department will be coming up with new ideas for regulating active vibration dampening in direct and hybrid drive trains that can adapt themselves to changing external influences, variable system characteristics and target functions. After start up, DyNaLab will offer the possibility of realistically sampling and streamlining new or already known control designs for reducing load collectives in the laboratory in a way that is close to real life, together with manufacturers and directly on the systems.

Modularizing and Standardizing
In order to assert yourself in an increasingly international manufacturer’s market and to achieve the ambitious political targets for the further expansion of wind power utilization, investment expenditures are becoming the decisive factor, in addition to all technical characteristics. This is the reason why modularizing and standardizing are increasingly seen as the potential key to success and a development trend modeled on other industrial sectors - especially for plants without drives in the output range of 2-3MW. The goal of future work will be working together with business partners from industry and research to work out and validate interface definitions for drive train components and plant subsystems.