Lindø Offshore Renewables Center (LORC) has inaugurated a new main bearing test facility capable of full-scale validation of wind turbine bearings for units of up to 25 MW.
R&D Test Systems was in charge of the design, engineering, and delivery of the complete facility, while Schaeffler provided application knowledge, which formed the foundation for the test rig, LORC said.
The facility is designed to replicate realistic multi-axial load conditions experienced by offshore wind turbines, enabling testing under operating scenarios representative of next-generation turbines.
The test bench includes a reinforced concrete foundation weighing approximately 3,700 tonnes, engineered to withstand extreme static and dynamic loads. The installation also features a 560-tonne load unit, measuring 16 metres in length, which forms the core of the load application system.
The facility is intended to support full-scale testing of main bearings, a critical turbine component responsible for transferring rotor loads into the structure. By enabling testing under real-world conditions, the test centre is expected to support the development of larger turbine platforms and shorten validation timelines, according to LORC.
Following installation and commissioning, the facility has been handed over to LORC and is now operational.