Welcome WIND ASSURING CONFIDENCE
THROUGH COMPETENCE
© Fraunhofer 1
Utblick Tyskland: Wind energy research in Germany –
Fraunhofer IWES as an example
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 2
Julia Gottschall
Vindkraftsforskning i fokus konferens, Uppsala – 06-07 Oct. 2015
Outline
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 3
Wind energy related R&D in Germany
(… from a researcher‘s point of view)
Introduction to Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and
Energy System Technology IWES
RAVE (Research at Alpha VEntus) joint research initiative
Outline
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 4
Wind energy related R&D in Germany
(… from a researcher‘s point of view)
Introduction to Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and
Energy System Technology IWES
RAVE (Research at Alpha VEntus) joint research initiative
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 5
Responsible ministry for funding of R&D in the field of renewable energies
until 2013 BMU (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety)
then BMWi (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy)
Framework of 6th Energieforschungsprogramm (energy research programme)
Includes wind energy, photovoltaics, deep geothermal energy, solarthermal energy,
hydropower and marine power
but wind energy with the largest development potential for the next years
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 6
Responsible ministry for funding of R&D in the field of renewable energies
until 2013 BMU (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety)
then BMWi (German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy)
Framework of 6th Energieforschungsprogramm (energy research programme)
Includes wind energy, photovoltaics, deep geothermal energy, solarthermal energy,
hydropower and marine power
but wind energy with the largest development potential for the next years
Onshore: focus on repowering Offshore: still more basic work
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 7
Targets of research funding:
Reduction of costs
Increase of yields
Reliable operation
Integration of the produced energy into grid
Ecological aspects
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 8
Targets of research funding:
Reduction of costs
Increase of yields
Reliable operation
Integration of the produced energy into grid
Ecological aspects
With new announcement for funding (1st January 2015):
Close interaction of key areas Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency,
further development in a system-oriented approach
… in line with the targeted energy transition (!)
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 9
Today – excellent infrastructure with large testing facilities – for rotor blades, wind
turbine nacelles, substructures;
plus research at sea and test field alpha ventus.
How is this organized?
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 10
Commissioned study “On the structure of wind energy research [in Germany]“ –
published March 2008:
No central national research laborotaroy / institution for wind energy
(in comparison to alternative areas of renewable energies, and to other countries)
Instead a large number of smaller institutions (universities, external public institutes,
industry) with regional focusses
Wind energy research in Germany
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 11
Commissioned study “On the structure of wind energy research [in Germany]“ –
published March 2008:
No central national research laborotaroy / institution for wind energy
(in comparison to alternative areas of renewable energies, and to other countries)
Instead a large number of smaller institutions (universities, external public institutes,
industry) with regional focusses
Research associations: ForWind (since 2003), CEWind (since 2005), WindForS
(since 2011)
2009 Fraunhofer IWES funded
Research Alliance Wind Energy (Strategic Association between Fraunhofer IWES
Northwest, ForWind and the German Aerospace Center DLR)
Outline
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 12
Wind energy related R&D in Germany
(… from a researcher‘s point of view)
Introduction to Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy
and Energy System Technology IWES
RAVE (Research at Alpha VEntus) joint research initiative
Short profile of Fraunhofer IWES North-West
© Fraunhofer
Managing Director: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Reuter
Research spectrum: Wind energy from material development to grid
connection
Operational budget 2014: around 13.2 million €
Staff: 150 employees
Previous investments in the
establishment of the institute: 60 million €
Strategic Association with ForWind and the German
Aerospace Center (DLR)
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Paving the way for next generation wind turbines
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 14
unique testing infrastructure and methodological competence
accelerated life-time testing
assuring investments in technological development
innovative and liable measuring methods for environmental conditions
smart blades: active and passive mechanisms for load reduction
in cooperation with the German Aerospace Center DLR
manufacturing processes for automated rotor blade production
future rotor concepts
© Fraunhofer
Where to find us:
Main site of the institute
Department
Working group
Fraunhofer´s business model:
industry focus as success factor
© Fraunhofer
67 Fraunhofer institutes in Germany
more than 23,000 employees, mainly with natural or engineering science education
€ 2,0 billion annual research budget
1/3 yields from
industry orders
1/3
public basic
funding
1/3
third-party
grants
16
© Fraunhofer
RESEARCH GENERATING ADDED VALUE
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Accelerated time-to-market by realistic testing
© Fraunhofer
Rotor Blade Test Hall up to 90 meters
Testing of design prior to series production
Max. static bending moment 115,000 kNm; max. dynamic bending moment: +/-
30,000 kNm
DyNaLab with 10 MW Drive Performance / Peak 15 MW
Norminal torque: > 8,6 MNm
Rotor load application unit for dynamic bending moments, thrust and radial forces
Artificial grid: 44 MVA installed inverter power
Support Structure Test Center
Testing support structure fatigue behaviour
Scale of 1:10 to 1:3,5
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Competence field: Wind Farm Planning and Operation
© Fraunhofer
Development and application of innovative and validated methods is a key factor for the
optimized planning and operation of wind farms. Project developers and wind farm
operators obtain reliable data and sound analysis for their wind farm planning and
operation.
Offshore wind measurements with the Fraunhofer IWES Lidar buoy
Geophysical soil exploration with innovative multi-channel seismic
Aerodynamic and microscale flow modelling
Mesoscale flow modelling in complex terrain
Simulation of weather dependence of the planning of erection and O&M work
Investigation of the aging behavior of materials, coatings, components and sensors
by means of laboratory and field tests
Alpha -TEC 2009
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Competence field: Turbine and System Technology
© Fraunhofer
Detailed consideration of the entire system “wind turbine” with multi-dimensional input variables. Direct
access to several smaller test turbines is available and further wind turbines are currently under
construction.
Technical reliability of mechatronic systems
Development of operating and control strategies
Load calculations and complete turbine simulations
Electrical certification in the laboratory and high resolution electrical measurements at generator/
converter interfaces
Drive train development and generator design for direct-drive turbines
Conditions monitoring and reliability of power electronics in wind turbines
Pitch bearings and drives for “continuous individual pitch control”
Planning and implementation of system tests, accelerated lifetime tests
Model validation on large-scale test facilities
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Foto: Senvion
Competence field: Structural Components
© Fraunhofer
Added value for manufacturers, project planners and operators; active cooperation in the
IEC rotor blade working group & upcoming accredition in material testing
Rotor blade:
testing of material, components and full-scale rotor blades, e.g. for certification; fibre
composite manufacturing and process development, innovative manufacturing
Tower:
structural calculations and simulations, experimental investigations into environmentally
induced degradation, analysis of coating systems, applied automatization of verification
and design processes
Substructures/foundations
experimental model testing on foundation elements and substructures, geotechnical
consulting service, numerical calculation and simulations
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Foto: Siemens Wind
Wind Energy Field Measurement
© Fraunhofer 22
The Application Center for Wind Energy Field Measurements offers precise and reliable
analysis of component dynamics, loads and operating behavior of operational wind
turbines. The results can be used to optimize wind turbines and components.
Manufacturer- and certifier-independent
Development of management and control strategies
measurements and reports according to IEC 61400-13
Test measurements
Prototype development
Implementing
Technical adjustments and optimization
Support of certification process and during operation
Validation of research and development
Foto: Adwen Foto: Siemens Wind Foto: Paul Langrock
Acknowledgements
© Fraunhofer
Fraunhofer IWES is funded by the:
Federal State of Bremen
Senator für Umwelt, Bau, Verkehr und Europa
Senator für Wirtschaft und Häfen
Senatorin für Bildung und Wissenschaft
Bremerhavener Gesellschaft für Investitions-Förderung und Stadtentwicklung
GmbH
Federal State of Lower Saxony
Federal Republic of Germany
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
with support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
EUROPEAN UNION Investing in your future European Regional Development Fund
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Outline
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 24
Wind energy related R&D in Germany
(… from a researcher‘s point of view)
Introduction to Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and
Energy System Technology IWES
RAVE (Research at Alpha VEntus) joint research
initiative
Alpha Ventus – project details
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 25
→ Germany‘s first offshore wind farm /and (offshore) test field
Located in the North Sea Exclusive Economic Zone; 45 km North of Borkum
30 m water depth
12 turbines
5 MW class (Adwen, Senvion)
CAPEX 250 M€
Alpha Ventus – milestones
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 26
2001 Approval
2003 offfshore met. mast FINO1 operating
2008 Installation of substation, export cable
2009 All turbines installed, infield cable installed; all turbines operational
2010 Offical inauguration
RAVE initiative
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 27
Accompanying research at the alpha ventus site
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation
and Nuclear Safety (BMU) / [since 2013] Econimic Affairs and Energy (BMWi)
30+ R&D projects
50+ Million € support
50+ project partners, around 200 scientists
RAVE – main objectives
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 28
RAVE – projects, timelines and R&D topics
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 29
RAVE – measurements
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 30
RAVE – conclusions
21.10.2015 © Fraunhofer 31
RAVE has achieved the set goals…
Proven offshore capability of 5 MW turbine class
Facilitated further development of offshore wind technology in many areas
Imroved knowledge about offshore utilisation
Produced an invaluable and unique dataset of measurements
RAVE is continuing but with a moved focus…
From design and erection to operation and maintenance
From demonstration to research
Increasing 3rd-party interest on data