R&D Test Systems delivered world’s largest dual-axis blade exciter to US-based Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s WTTC

The US-based Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC), that performs large wind turbine blade testing, ordered a new test bench with the size and power to test the next generations of wind turbine blades.

“As a testing facility, we must be ready for what the OEMs will develop next. And with this test equipment, we will have the setup to meet the requirements, improve the testing quality, and simultaneously shorten the test time significantly,” says Rahul Yarala, Executive Director at WTTC. 

With the new test bench from R&D Test Systems, WTTC has a future-proof test setup with the possibility to perform dual-axis testing, allowing more realistic test loads and results. The new full-scale multi-axis fatigue blade test system will also shorten the test time, as WTTC can use the same setup to test flap- and edge-wise fatigue test without changing the test setup.

The new dual-axis exciter is approximately 40% larger in size and force than the first dual-axis blade exciter which was built for the Danish Blade Test Centre A/S (Blaest) in 2021. The new one is able to apply 240 kN into the blade with an excitation power of 420 kW, enabling the test system to test blades up to 130 meters long.

“Delivering the first blade test setup in this size to the US is a milestone for R&D Test Systems. This is the first commercial dual-axis system that we have delivered. As American owned company by MTS and ITW it is a strategic goal to increase our US activities,” explains Key Account Manager Niels Pedersen from R&D Test Systems. 

The blade exciter consists of two units that can deliver individual force and power up to 120kN and 210kW, respectively. The user-friendly software allows users to easily configure the test system for different tests. The two units can be used in combination for parallel or dual-axis operation or separately on other test areas.