Danish Test Centre Primed For Mega Wind Turbines

The expansion of Test Centre Østerild in Denmark has now reached the point when it is possible for the manufacturers to start casting the foundations on the two new test stands, according to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU).

Last year, the Danish government decided to expand the Test Center in Østerild with an additional two test stands. It was later on decided, that Siemens Gamesa and Envision Energy should be the two new test stand renters.

Since then, the two test stands have been cleared up and the necessary high voltage and fiber cables for the wind turbines have been established, Poul Falk Nielsen, Site Manager for DTU Wind Energy in Østerild, said.

“The next step is installing the light masts and the masts for the measurements in front of the wind turbines. Additionally we only have to clear up the area,” Nielsen said, adding that the wind turbine companies are expected to start their work by the end of the summer.

The test stands have permission for the erection of turbines up to 330 metres in height.

Besides the foundations for the wind turbines, DTU wishes to install two new measuring masts, a new light mast and to move a light mast at the site.

The reason for installing new masts is the 4.7km distance between the northern and the southern part of the test centre. That is why the two light masts are to be supplemented with an extra light mast in the middle. Each of the three masts are going to be 250 metres high.

The work of the contractor for the masts has been done already and the foundations have been cast.

DTU is the operator of the national test centres for large wind turbines at Østerild and Høvsøre.