Videos

Rotor blades are among the most highly loaded components in a wind turbine. Loads from wind and gravity affect the structure in a combination that cannot be reproduced by conventional testing methods. The aim of the SmarTestBlade research project is therefore to further develop and validate methods for the realistic validation of rotor blades utilizing elliptical biaxial testing to apply combined loads on future rotor blades. This will result in a method corresponding to the requirements of a type test.

In our #IWESpeople video series, we introduce you to our experts. Learn more about their scientific work, technical expertise, and careers in science and at a research institute. Jingjing is a Senior Engineer in the department »System Validation Mechanical Drive Train« and tells you more about her career and what she likes about her work as a scientist at IWES. Jingjing gives an insight into her exciting field of work and encourages other women to consider STEM as an attractive career path. 

Fraunhofer IWES is developing and operating a mobile grid emulator with an output of 80 megavolt-amperes (MVA) to measure the electrical properties of wind turbines and to demonstrate current and future grid system services. The setup consists of two independent converter-strings,which can be coupled to electrically test wind turbines up to 20MW. The total installed converter power of 80MVA also makes it possible to handle large short-circuit currents from wind turbines. 

Vestas V236 – 15.0 MW™’s rotor blade arrived in Bremerhaven and is getting ready to be tested on our new rotor blade test rig 115m+. The state-of-the-art test rig offers comprehensive testing possibilities for rotor blades with a length of more than 115 meters, which are specifically designed for offshore wind turbines.

The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, the President of the Senate and Mayor of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Andreas Bovenschulte, and the Senator for Science and Ports of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, Claudia Schilling, met in Bremerhaven to inaugurate our 115m+ rotor blade test rig. With our 115m+ rotor blade test rig, we are expanding our test portfolio and adapting to the latest requirements of wind turbine component manufacturers, thus securing the close collaboration between applied research and industry.

By means of comprehensive analysis of multi-channel seismic data, the interdisciplinary IWES team offers innovative solutions for accurate and cost-saving wind farm planning. The investigations include classical subsoil exploration using modern technologies or cutting edge boulder via diffraction imaging. Fraunhofer IWES thus offers tailored solutions to the modern challenges of offshore subsurface exploration.

With the new test bench HiL-GridCoP and the new testing methodology for minimal systems – comprising a high-speed generator and a converter system for wind turbines – we can perform automated electrical certification at test bench level. The aim is to accelerate the procedure of electrical certification and to improve predictability of the market launch for new products.

In the H2Mare Dialogue on February 1, 2024, experts working in the Hydrogen Flagship Project H2Mare gave an overview on their current research on watermanagement, PtX and acceptance and the latest results. 

ORE Catapult is teaming up with Fraunhofer IWES to host the VirtualWind IV online conference focusing on the current challenges for offshore wind energy in the North Sea with sessions on rotorblade manufacturing.