DNV GL Seeks Partners for New Turbine Design Project

DNV GL is inviting wind industry stakeholders to join a new project dedicated to developing recommended practice on turbine design methodologies for cyclones and earthquakes.

The aim of the Alleviating Cyclone and Earthquake Challenges for Wind Farms (ACE) Joint Industry Project is to develop a new guide to alleviate wind turbine structures from the impacts of cyclones and earthquakes.

The project will see the experience from cross-industry players collected to align turbine design methodologies for the extreme weather conditions, DNV GL said.

According to the company, seismic and cyclone impacts on offshore wind turbines are of critical importance in emerging markets such as the Asia Pacific region and Taiwan, Japan, Korea, as well as parts of the U.S.

As these countries are entering the market with ambitious roadmaps to develop multi-megawatt projects, providing a joint industry approach for designing turbines for these extreme local environmental conditions is vital to ensure the safety of offshore structures, DNV GL stated.

“All industry stakeholders acting in emerging markets in the Asia Pacific region and the U.S. will benefit from the ACE project as it will help to minimize cost, warranty and liability risks and optimize wind turbine design for seismic and typhoon conditions,” said Kim Mørk, Executive Vice President of Renewables Certification at DNV GL.

“As the focus area for this joint industry project was developed mutually with different wind industry stakeholders, the feedback during the initiating phase has already emphasized the necessity of aligning the industry in this area.”

The lack of an aligned guideline often leads to increased work volume between developer, turbine manufacturer, designer and certification body, causing delays and increasing costs of projects, DNV GL said, emphasizing that the ACE project aims to bring more transparency and reduce uncertainty in the design of turbines.