Vestas is to test blades for its V236-15MW prototype turbine at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems’ (IWES’) new test bench in Bremerhaven, Germany.
The testing will start later this year at the rotor blade test bench, which offers testing for blades measuring up to more than 120 metres.
The test bench is currently still under construction (pictured) and is being funded by the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (€14.8m) and the Ministry of Education and Research (€4m).
Vestas chief of test and verification Christian Fenselau said: “The development of our new wind turbine represents an important step for us in being able to advance technological innovations in the wind industry around the world further and faster.
“We look forward to conducting the rotor blade test we need for our V236-15.0MW prototype with a rotor diameter of 236 metres together with Fraunhofer IWES, with the aim of being able to start the serial production planned for 2024 assuredly.”
Fraunhofer IWES head of department rotor blades Steffen Czichon said: “Even after more than 30 successfully completed test campaigns, a rotor blade measuring more than 115 metres still represents a special challenge for us that requires particularly close cooperation between all those involved.
“We are delighted to have been able to secure in Vestas a long-time partner as the first customer for our new test bench. Our test environment is the only one of its size in the world.
“However, the infrastructure is not the only decisive aspect – the test methods are also being continually further developed so as to be able to conduct the tests more realistically and faster.”