TÜV NORD has been tasked with certification of wind turbine towers for Siemens. The company has also commissioned TÜV NORD with type certification of the SWT-2.3-120 turbine of the G2 platform.
In future, TÜV NORD will issue a significant number of the tower component certificates for Siemens. With these certificates, the towers will no longer have to be individually evaluated as major components in later turbine and type certifications; it will only be necessary to demonstrate suitability for the specific loads and to prove integration into the electric lightning strike protection / earthing concept through interface comparison and harmonisation. “In the course of this order, we will test the structures of different tower variants from Siemens and perform the necessary production supervision. The project is forecast to last for the next one to two years”, explains Michael Dahm, Head of Wind Energy at TÜV NORD.
The type certification of the Siemens SWT-2.3-120 will launch at the same time. This is a geared onshore turbine with 2.3 MW rated power. With its robust construction and large rotor of 120 meters in diameter, this variant of the G2 platform is intended to optimise energy yield specifically at sites with limited wind resources.
The turbine is designed to meet the demands of the markets in the Americas region. A prototype will also be erected in Denmark. For this reason, TÜV NORD will take both the Danish and the American standards into consideration. In the certification process as per the IEC 61400-22 Standard, the design of the complete wind turbine is tested for compliance, which is confirmed with a certificate from TÜV NORD.
Testing basically covers load assumptions, safety concept and manuals, mechanical components and structures, electrical components, major components such as the tower and rotor blade and also the compatibility of the interfaces between the different elements. Alongside evaluation of the design, manufacturing inspection of the major components is just as important for issue of the type certificate as the performance of a variety of measurements on prototypes in the field.
About TÜV NORD GROUP
With over 10,000 employees, TÜV NORD GROUP is one of the largest technical service providers, offering its advisory, service and inspection expertise in over 70 countries throughout the world. Areas of activity include Industrial Services, Mobility, IT and Training. TÜV NORD GROUP occupies a unique position in the sector based on its work in the fields of natural resources and aerospace and is firmly committed to its guiding principle and watchword: “Excellence for your business”.