Germany: Adwen begins testing of the AD 8-180 drivetrain at Fraunhofer IWES test bench in Bremerhaven

Adwen has commissioned and started testing the AD 8-180 drivetrain at IWES Dynamic Nacelle Testing Laboratory (DyNaLab) in Bremerhaven (Germany), where it is undergoing a test campaign that will last until the end of the year. The validation process will cover mechanical and electrical tests on the integral chain of the drivetrain and main tower components.

By simulating operational conditions for extreme and fatigue loads the tests will enable the validation of these key components. The process will also allow the validation of individual and fully integrated subsystems as well as the complete drivetrain operation at full power. These tests are paramount to shorten the field test campaign and speed-up the certification of the turbine.

Adwen started the works at the test bench by the end of last year with the assembly and commissioning of the electrical system. In April of this year the drivetrain was transported to DyNaLab to start the mechanical assembly as well as the assembly of auxiliary structures for sensors, lubrication systems and the set-up and fine tuning of more than 350 sensors that will be used during this exhaustive verification process.

After this first part of the full drivetrain test campaign is concluded, the complete AD 8-180 nacelle to be installed in the prototype, currently being assembled in Bremerhaven, will be transported to IWES DyNaLab. It will be subjected to final tests and checks before the prototype is installed in Bremerhaven by the end of this year.

“This is an extremely important step forward in our comprehensive validation program. We have the opportunity to test core systems of the wind turbine in a world leading facility and this will contribute to certify the turbine faster and ensure it achieves the highest performance”, explains Maite Basurto, Adwen Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

IWES’ DyNaLab is the world’s largest and most versatile facility for nacelle testing, inaugurated by Fraunhofer IWES in October, 2015. The research institution has invested around 35 million Euros to design and build the facility.

“We are very pleased to provide Adwen with the full capabilities of our DyNaLab. This will dramatically accelerate the validation of the new and innovative turbine design”, adds Prof. Andreas Reuter, Managing Director of Fraunhofer IWES.