The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has appointed RENK Test System to design, manufacture and install a new drive train test rig at the National Renewable Energy Centre in the UK.
After securing nearly £86m capital funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Catapult announced it would expand and upgrade its testing facilities to enable the evolution of the next generation of wind turbines.
RENK will manufacture and install the new test rig at the Catapult’s existing drive train facility, which will see capacity increased from 15MW to an initial 23MW.
The test rig will be capable of further expansion to 28MW to meet future industry demand for more powerful and efficient turbines.
ORE Catapult’s director of technology development Tony Quinn said: “During the rigorous procurement process, RENK proved their ability to find solutions to a complex set of requirements.
“We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the company to proceed with this significant upgrade to our drive train test and validation capability.
“Not only is this a critical part of the Catapult’s own future roadmap, but it will also make a substantial contribution to wind turbine technology development in the UK, as well as the country’s Energy Security Strategy and net zero commitment.”
RENK managing director Mathias Karrer said the company was “very proud” to have secured the contract.
He said: “Over the past nine months, ORE Catapult and RENK experts have been working together to design an unprecedented test system.
“A nacelle test rig that will set a new standard in terms of load performance, realistic testing and test accuracies.
“This result was made possible by combining numerous RENK core technologies from different RENK entities.
“We are very proud to have been contracted as a trusted partner for the realisation of this test rig.”
Head of the UKRI Infrastructure Fund Adam Staines added: “This project will ensure that the UK is able to develop the next generation of wind turbines, keeping us at the forefront of offshore wind technology.”
Initially announced in tandem with plans to develop a larger offshore wind blade test facility, it is intended that the upgrades to the drive train test facility will be completed by late 2027.
Meanwhile, the Catapult is working with key partners to finalise arrangements and designs for the next generation of blade testing capability which will be announced in due course.
Picture: An example of a drive train