Future Concept Durability of Rotor Blades Phase II

The challenge

Experimental testing of very long whole rotor blades and their components is supposed to remain economically viable – also when blade length will increase further. New testing procedures for this purpose have been developed within the previous project – and will be experimentally tested in this project.

The solution

For that reason, a new test stand for blades up to 115 meters in lengths will be constructed in Bremerhaven, and is expected to start operation in 2023. It is not possible to assess all areas of the rotor blade in detail and model them with statistical reliability in full-scale blade testing. Testing facilities for components and segments as well as the use of new methods should provide more detailed information on critical rotor blade sections in this respect.

As the investigation of segments such as the trailing edge of a blade is more cost-effective than full-scale blade testing, it will be possible for manufacturers to perform a number of tests on one component in the future and increase the statistical relevance of the results. In addition, it is possible to induce and understand specific damage mechanisms.

The added value

The aim of the project is to ensure that experimental testing of very long rotor blades remains economically viable for manufacturers. New testing procedures for the investigation of segments will offer a better understanding of critical areas and thus increase the informative value of the tests considerably. This information can be employed to design rotor blades even more precisely in the future, thereby saving on both weight and costs.

This is an ERDF-funded project. More info: www.efre-bremen.de