CGI representation of the new test center in Østerild.

A new wind turbine testing center is going to be built in Østerild, north-western Jutland, Denmark. The center will allow the testing of huge next generation wind turbines reaching as much as 250 meters in height, and will feature wind measurement masts reaching the same heights. Seven wind turbine foundations will be built, and the whole facility will also feature a unique concept for connecting wind turbines to the power grid.

Denmark is in the need for more test facilities, if the country is to reclaim a leading position in the wind energy industry, as emphasized a couple of months ago by the Danish Prime Minister.

The new national test center will have 4 kilometers in length featuring seven wind turbines, with 150 meter measuring masts for each wind turbine, and two 250 meter light masts also for meteorological measurement purposes. The test center will supplement the existing test center in Høvsøre in western Denmark, operated by Risø. This test center, however, can work with wind turbines reaching "only" 160 meters in height.

Research at the new center will concentrate on greater heights, where wind speeds and behavior is still pretty much unknown. Data gathered at these heights will be used to build models for use in calculations, projections and design. This will ensure wind turbines of the future will be designed to maximize energy yield from higher altitude winds.

Another significant part of the research will be aimed at innovative concepts for connecting the wind turbines to the power grid. The Østerild test center will feature unique possibilites for this aspect of the wind energy technology through an advanced grid connection facility. This part of the project will involve Risø Institute, as the lead partner, and other industrial players such as Vestas, Siemens, Suzlon, Gamesa, DONG Energy, Vattenfal, and ABB, all of which have received funding from Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP). This funding is to be used for a preliminary project, to be completed in 2011. The grid facility should then be complete and ready to take on the impact of seven 16 MW wind turbines by early 2013.

[source: Risø]