Structural Validation at the NWTC Helps Improve Component Design and Increase System Reliability

Research output: NRELFact Sheet

Abstract

Since 1990, the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has validated more than 150 wind turbine blades, as well as blades and components for marine energy devices. Researchers at the NWTC can experimentally validate full-scale and subcomponent articles, conduct data analyses, and provide engineering expertise to optimize design practices. Structural evaluation of turbine blades enables designers, manufacturers, and owner operators t o assess designs and structural performance under specific extreme loading and dynamic conditions. Rigorous structural validation can reveal design and manufacturing problems at an early state of development that lead to improvements in component design and increase system reliability.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages2
StatePublished - 2019

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/FS-5000-72970

Keywords

  • capabilities
  • characterization
  • components
  • dynamometer
  • evaluation
  • facilities
  • fatigue loading
  • National Wind Technology Center
  • structural
  • validation
  • water
  • wind

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