Vestas’ global testing center in Aarhus, Denmark. (Credit: Vestas)The biggest and most powerful wind turbine test bench in the industry has started operation at Vestas’ global testing center in Aarhus, Denmark. The 20 MW test bench is capable of testing the full nacelle of the V164-8.0 MW offshore turbine with a rotor diameter of 164 m (538 ft.), validating the performance, robustness and reliability of the turbine over a simulated 25-year lifetime.
The test bench is 42 meters long and 9 meters wide. The total weight of the test bench, including the motors, wind simulator and generators is nearly 700 tonnes. Vestas installed fifty meter deep concrete foundations to support the weight. Motors powering the bench produce 20 MW—the equivalent of 26,820 brake horsepower, and the torque exerted on the components of the turbine can be up to a massive 18 meganewton meters.
The enormous wind turbine test bench will stress the drivetrain, including the gearbox, main shaft and generator of the V164-8.0 MW—in a controlled environment—reproducing the harsh wind conditions in the North Sea, using a comprehensive and rigorous test regime based on experience and data gathered from over 25,000 turbines.
Chief Technology Officer Anders Vedel explains the testing of the critical components and systems of the V164-8.0 MW is part of Vestas’ product development process to ensure the highest possible industry leading quality and reliability.
“Vestas has invested in the industry’s most powerful test bench to ensure the turbine will perform in challenging conditions for 25 years. The superior testing expertise we have accumulated over the last decade is a key part of giving confidence to our customers that the machine is of the high quality that they expect from Vestas,” he says.
During the last two years Vestas has invested in unique testing capabilities covering all the systems and critical components for its V164-8.0 MW turbine. Vestas’ entire existing and future product portfolio will also benefit from these new and unique testing capabilities.
