HiL-GridCoP

At present, the grid compliance testing required for the electrical certification of new wind turbines is carried out exclusively in the field with the aid of mobile FRT (Fault-Ride-Through) containers. As part of the HiL-GridCoP project, a new test stand is being set up and a new testing methodology developed which will allow automated electrical certification to be undertaken in the laboratory.

In contrast to the existing nacelle test stand, the HiL-GridCoP test stand will only be used to test minimal systems – comprising a high-speed generator and converter system. The automated execution of the test and the greatly reduced logistical complexity of this method promise to validate new designs at reduced cost and to shorten and improve the plannability of times-to-market for wind turbine manufacturers.

The test stand has a 9 MW (13 MW overload) drive unit to reproduce realistic generator moments with the aid of the HiL method. It is also to use the grid simulator of the nacelle test stand to reproduce different grid states to test and validate models and computational assumptions. A significant expansion of the functionalities of the existing grid simulator is also planned to do justice to the demands placed on the grid integration of future wind turbines.