Wind Turbines Certification.

Offshore wind energy is playing an increasingly important role worldwide. In regions impacted by tropical storms, wind energy converters  (WECs) are exposed to extreme weather conditions. TÜV SÜD has developed a computer model to demonstrate suitability for these regions based on the international IEC 61400 standard within the scope of type certification.

As a crucial prerequisite for the expansion of offshore wind energy in regions with tropical cyclones, wind turbines must be able to withstand extreme climate conditions. Using the international IEC 61400 standard as a basis, TÜV SÜD has developed a computer model enabling the impacts of such extreme wind situations on wind turbines to be simulated.

“The standard defines requirements for the use of WECs at specific sites, which are taken into account in ‘type approval’”, says Florian Weber from the Wind Service Center at TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH. To this end, the standard defines several wind classes. Edition 4 of the standard now introduces the new wind class T1 for tropical cyclones – also known as typhoons or hurricanes, depending on the region.

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