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

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© 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

THANK YOU FOR

YOUR ATTENTION julia.gottschall@iwes.fraunhofer.de

© Fraunhofer

Allgemeines schönes WEA Bild

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