Global: DNV GL awards component certificate to eologix for pioneering ice sensor system

DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body, has awarded eologix sensor technology GmbH (eologix) with component certification for its ice sensor system at the annual EWEA event in Paris. The sensor system is unique to the wind market, providing the first autonomous sensors which exploit the different electrical properties of air, water and ice for icing detection directly on the surface of wind turbine rotor blades.

DNV GL has certified the complete sensor system in line with the guideline GL2010. The design of eologix’s sensor system is based on a newly developed and patented physical measurement system to detect even very thin ice formations at local thicknesses of 1 mm and less.

Eologix’s wireless smart sensor can be placed directly onto the blade of the wind turbine, measuring icing and surface temperature even in locked-rotor state, providing early detection of ice formation from critical blade locations. The sensor signal is sent directly to the to the receiver unit to initiate the necessary measures for optimised operations, i.e. activation of the heating system or switching the turbine off if required, removing the need for a manual operation of the system.
Certifying components featuring new technologies is a complex task and in order to enable the development team to master the certification process, DNV GL offered insight into the component certification requirements that have to be met from an early design stage. Also, all measurement data is made available in an online database for immediate or later evaluation.

Dr. Michael Moser, founder of eologix commented: “Our objective was to develop an innovative new sensor solution that allows turbine operators and manufacturers to save costs and reduce the safety risk of the turbine operations while increasing the energy yield. We are delighted to deliver a product that meets all those objectives, thanks to the assistance from DNV GL’s experts that acted as a sounding board during the system’s development and certification process.”

Mike Wöbbeking, Head of Certification Body at DNV GL, added: “It has been pleasure working with eologix in providing the component certification for their pioneering new sensor system. We believe that new concepts like eologix’s sensor system are vital to move the wind energy industry forward and look forward to seeing more game changing technologies from the young company in the future.”

The certificate has been presented by Mike Wöbbeking, Head of Certification Body, DNV GL, to Dr. Thomas Schlegl and Michael Moser, both founders of eologix.

Further information about the DNV GL Wind Component Certification can be found here:
https://www.dnvgl.com/services/wind-component-certification-4024

More information about eologix sensor system can be found here:
http://www.eologix.com/en/product/