An illustration of the new system type E-138 EP3 (Photo: Enercon).
ENERCON has commissioned TÜV NORD with the task of type certification for two new kinds of wind turbines: E-126 EP3 for wind class IIA and E-138 EP3 for wind class IIIA. If these wind turbines are to be built around the world, they need type approval in accordance with the IEC guidelines. For the German market, the wind turbines are also to be certified in accordance with the DIBt directive.
In the context of the type certification of E-126 EP3 and E-138 EP3, TÜV NORD is to verify the key properties of the new type of turbine. These include in the first instance the design assessment, which is used to confirm the conformity of the theoretical designs presented by ENERCON with the requirements of the standards. The next stage is to compare the loads to which the prototype devices are subjected in real life with those on which the design assessment is based. In this way, turbine behaviour is verified in field trials. Another element of type testing is the assessment of manufacturing and production processes with world-wide inspections of the premises of component manufacturers and suppliers.
“The designs of rotor blades for cold climate sites and aerodynamic serrations for noise reduction purposes place additional requirements on certification. Since the new turbine types are supposed to be going into series production by the end of 2018 or 2019, we’re looking forward to working on a technically challenging project with some demanding deadlines in close cooperation with ENERCON,” says Silvio Konrad, General Manager of the Industrial Services business unit at TÜV NORD and the individual responsible for the energy sector.