Type tests small wind

Type testing can take place using a turbine already installed on a customer site or at the site of the 17025 test laboratory.

For small wind turbines the type testing is in 3 parts:

- Certified Power Curve (6 Weeks)

- Certified Acoustic Report (can be in parallel with certified power curve)

- Duration Testing

Duration testing takes a minimum of 6 months according to the 61400-2 standard but may take longer as the standard defines that there must be a defined time period for a range of wind speeds

Type testing is simpler – and hence lower cost for a HAWT than a VAWT because the 61400-2 standard allows the use of simplified load modelling for a HAWT

For a VAWT it is necessary to measure actual loads on the turbine

Type tests mid and large wind

- Certified Power curve IEC 61400-1 and 61400-12

- Certified acoustic tests IEC 61400 -11

- Load measurements IEC 61400-13

- Quality network IEC 61400-21

Design Evaluation

For this the turbine manufacturer shows how the loads have been calculated. The certification body then checks that the calculations are correct and then verifies that the design (including the materials used) is correct according to the loads and in consideration of the appropriate safety factors.

For a VAWT it is necessary to use aerolastic modelling and the process involves checking that the calculated loads are consistent with the measured loads. There are >1500 hours of work for a certification body in the design evaluation of a “typical” small wind VAWT.

The principle of design Evaluation is the same for small / mid /large wind: The work and time increased