The aim of the fatigue tests is not only to damage the specimen, rather it is important to reproduce a realistic loading and thus wear and tear as occur in operational wind turbine main shafts. For this reason we have conducted a detailed analysis of simulated and measured load time series for the main shaft. BMWi, 10/2012 - 06/2018
Rotor blades are still made almost completely by hand. In the “BladeMaker“ project, Fraunhofer IWES scientists, industrial and research partners are searching for automation solutions in order to make the manufacture of rotor blades more cost effective, quicker and with a higher quality. BMWi, 10/2012 - 03/2018
The objective of the GIGAWIND life collaborative project is to expand the design concept for the OWEC support structures which was developed in GIGAWIND alpha ventus with important aspects which occur only over several years of operation. BMWi, 02/2013-01/2018
Within the scope of the project, the largest torque sensor ever to be calibrated at the Federal Physical-Technical Institute (PTB) has been installed on the nacelle test bench at the RWTH in Aachen. Using this new transfer standard, a calibration procedure is being tested which allows traceability for torque measurements of test sequences at the RWTH Aachen to the national standard. EMPIR, 09/2015 – 08/2018
Stall reduces the turbine’s performance. In order to equip wind turbines against this effect, scientists at Fraunhofer IWES are collaborating with industry and research partners to test the use of mechanisms known as self-actuating flaps. Therefore, 2D flow simulations will be performed, followed by wind tunnel tests and computational estimations of yield increases and load reductions for complete 3D blades.
Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt, 11/2017 – 07/2018
The aim of the TANDEM research project is to collect findings and develop methods for lowering the number of uncertainties when designing larger monopiles. Material savings are not the only source of cost advantages – savings are also possible in transport and installation, which in turn contribute to the reduction of energy production costs.
BMWi, 08/2015 - 12/2018
Concept study for the development of an optimized maintenance and inspection concept for offshore wind energy turbines with the aid of thermography and SHM technologies as nondestructive testing technology in combination with unmanned aerial vehicle carriers.
PFAU, 01/2017 - 12/2018
Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems