10/09/2018

New wind turbine prototypes to be tested at Østerild and Høvsøre

Technical University of Denmark (DTU), who operates the national test centres for large wind turbines at Østerild and Høvsøre, have just completed the tender process for the rental of the new test stands, which have been established on the basis of Parliament’s decision for more test facilities in Denmark.

Image: DTU

DTU has put out to tender the rental of four new test stands that are available as a result of the forthcoming expansion, and a renewal of the lease of an existing test stand at Høvsøre.

Companies from all over the world have submitted proposals on how they would use the test stands, which have permission for the erection of turbines up to 330 metres at Østerild and 200 metres at Høvsøre.

Throughout the whole tendering process there has been great interest and there were a total of 11 bids received by DTU. Commenting on the process, Deputy Head of Department at DTU Wind Energy Peter Hjuler Jensen notes that:

”All the bids were highly qualified and contained technologically relevant and exciting proposals for research and test activities at the test centres, and thus we apologize that we could not meet all the bids. This bodes well for the future and can help to ensure that Denmark will continue to be at the forefront at a global level in the research and development of wind technology”.

The two new test stands at Østerild go to Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Envision Energy. The two new test stands at Høvsøre have been awarded to GE Renewable Energy and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Vestas have won the tender for the existing test stand at Høvsøre.

Concerning the expansion, DTU President Anders Bjarklev, says: ”DTU is proud that, with the completion of the tendering, we can deliver on Parliament’s decision earlier this year to expand the two test centres, Østerild and Høvsøre, so that testing and development of the latest technology in this area continues in Denmark, to the benefit of industry and Danish society”.

The Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Rasmus Jarlov also views the expansion positively: ”I am pleased that it is already known which companies have been awarded the new test stands so that the specific planning can start. It is all the parties in the Parliament that support the opportunity to expand the two test centres through more and larger test turbines in order to maintain the growth that the wind energy sector creates in Denmark, whilst at the same time strengthening the transition to green energy”.

The Minister for Energy, Utilities and Climate, Lars Chr. Lilleholt, stated: ”The great interest in the new test stands at Østerild and Høvsøre once again demonstrates Denmark’s position as a global leader in development and demonstration projects within the field of wind energy. I am therefore also pleased that, with the expansion of the test centres, we can meet the high demand and contribute to the advancement of technology, so that we will be able to see the deployment of wind turbines in Denmark without state subsidies as quickly as possible.”