Krummendeich wind energy research farm
We plan, build and operate the WiValdi wind energy research farm in Krummendeich. This facility is the world’s only infrastructure for nearly all areas of wind energy research. On the premises, near the mouth of the Elbe river, stand two state-of-the-art wind turbines and four meteorological measuring masts. The wind turbines are equipped with numerous sensors – from the base of their posts to the tips of their blades – and provide valuable measurement data around the clock. The measuring masts record wind speeds and are aligned with the turbines in the prevailing wind direction. This unique layout enables us to precisely capture and analyse how wind turbines impact each other.
Beyond generating a unique treasure trove of data for our research, WiValdi allows us investigate many other topics, such as aerodynamics, acoustics, the power grid, control systems and meteorology. This year, the two large-scale research wind turbines, OPUS 1 and OPUS 2, will be joined by the new and experimental turbine OPUS 3. This comparatively small, modular and particularly robust wind turbine will allow us to test new hardware, such as rotor blades, and new software for turbine control.
The combination of highly instrumented research turbines, the robust experimental turbine as a test stand, meteorological measuring masts and extensive options for testing and analysis offers us and collaborators from industry and research with unparalleled opportunities to make wind energy more efficient, environmentally compatible and cost-effective.
Link:
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Wind energy experiment facility
Email contact-dlr@DLR.de
Credits: ©DLR