Medium-scale wind turbine manufacturer Norvento has completed the TÜV SÜD design evaluation process for its nED100 100kW turbine. The company is the first one to achieve IEC 61400-1 certification for a turbine of this size.
During the 2-year certification process, TÜV SÜD validated every single system and component of nED100. The turbine underwent the simulation of 1000 unique loads, covering every eventuality likely to occur during day-to-day operation. The data accumulated during this process was then used to verify the structural strength and lifetime of each component. This technical testing was accompanied by a safety validation, which analysed the potential effects of a wide range of internal and external conditions and resulted in a detailed calculation of the safety levels of the system as a whole, based on the performance of each individual component. The lightning protection system was validated to the same standard required for utility-scale wind turbines. Finally, all installation, commissioning and maintenance manuals were revised according to international standards. In carrying out this process, TÜV SÜD verified that the turbine was in compliance with the latest safety and engineering standards. The design evaluation complements recent testing by other accredited entities validating the electrical safety, the electromagnetic compatibility and the power quality of nED100, and will be followed by further field and bench tests to certify the power curve, load measurement and structural properties of the blade.
