Media Relations

Work recently got under way on the Institute’s latest construction project, a 250 m² hall for generator/converter systems in the direct vicinity of the nacelle test stand in Bremerhaven/Germany. The new test stand is set to accelerate electrical certification testing of wind energy turbines at considerably lower costs than testing a whole nacelle.

The generator developed in the EcoSwing research project, is to be used in the next generation of multi-megawatt turbines. A test campaign on Fraunhofer IWES’ nacelle test bench showed good results due to the functionality of the overall system.  

Fraunhofer IWES tested two large-scale suction buckets in a 1:5 scale in early 2018. The physical experiments at the Test Center for Support Structures in Hanover (TTH) are the first of their kind in Germany.  

The German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) has selected IWES, among others, to conduct initial exploratory work for the first bidding round. Researchers will compile 3D seabed models based on geophysical data. The multichannel seismic survey method delivers high-resolution data for soil layers at all relevant depths for wind turbine fundaments.

Sub-component trailing edge testing has the potential to become established as an addition to the certification-relevant full-scale blade test. Any relevant load scenario can be simulated and critical blade details can come under scrutiny. Within the EU project “IRPWind” the potential was defined.