Wind power cold climate test center
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB - SP SVERIGES TEKNISKA FORSKNINGSINSTITUT AB, Karlstad |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 500 000 |
| Project duration | November 2016 - June 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
Purpose and goal
The project has, as far as possible, carried out the site planning for Uljabuouda wind farm & thus created the prerequisite for establishing a test bed for wind power in cold climate. After receiving permit, the facility will offer locations for testing, verification & certification of full-scale wind turbines with de- or antiicing system. Also components & subsystems can be tested. Safer methods for O&M in cold climate will be possible to establish & secure. Furthermore, research & development can be conducted at the test center within other areas such as i.e. simulation of ice loads.
Expected results and effects
Turbine manufacturers are highly interested in verifying systems for demanding conditions. On a test bed, the process is time & cost efficient. In addition, a independent hosting organization is of considered a advantage. Activities of suppliers and R&D in wind power industry will lead to optimized energy production in terms of efficiency, reliability & availability. Turbine manufacturers will be able to provide warrantees to their customers regarding performance under icing conditions & cold temperatures. Future wind turbines will be better suited for operation in cold climate.
Planned approach and implementation
The renewed data analysis of climate data, infrastructure prerequisites & opposing interests with the aim of identifying the most suitable site for a test center has been successfully conducted. The project continued its marketing & customer efforts to link future customers among turbine manufacturers, primarily in Europe and Asia, to the project as stakeholders. A large part of the project work was also to prepare partner organizations for the establishment of the test center soon to be tackled.