DNV GL, the world’s largest resource of independent energy experts, today announced the component certification of a pitch system for blade pitch control system supplier OAT Osterholz Antriebs Technik GmbH. This is the first time that DNV GL has worked on the certification of the individual component ‘pitch system’ in a wind turbine, assessing the pitch system against the GL Guideline for the Certification of Wind Turbines Edition 2010 (GL-IV-I).
As the wind energy industry is maturing, wind turbine manufacturers are increasingly expecting their suppliers to provide pitch systems with pre-certified components in order to keep the overall costs and timeline to acquire the overall type certification to a minimum. By having component certification for its pitch systems, OAT Osterholz Antriebs Technik is able to pass on the benefits of a pre-certified wind turbine element to its customers and open up potential new market areas, increasing the overall competitiveness of its products.
The technical A-Design Assessment of the pitch system has been finalised successfully and the official handover of the statement took place at a ceremony at the EWEA wind energy conference in Barcelona. The final component certificate of the pitch system will be completed following the practical audit later this year.
The certification of the pitch system encompasses elaborate and complex assessments of the individual components, including:
- Four control cabinets in the wind turbine
- Three electrical motors to adjust the rotational position of the turbine blades
- Three sets of Li-Ion-batteries or capacitors to ensure the secure energy supply in case of an electricity outage
DNV GL’s team of engineering and certification experts has been working closely with OAT Osterholz Antriebs Technik in endeavouring the technical certification, which is globally valid. The pitch system has been certified for onshore wind turbines and can be extended to offshore wind turbines requiring an additional certification for the offshore environment, which is very similar to the onshore guidelines.
Henry G. Osterholz, chief executive officer at OAT Osterholz Antriebs Technik GmbH commented: “Our current wind turbine pitch system has received great feedback from customers yet in order to make sure our products move with the times, we decided to assign DNV GL to certify the quality of our components by independent third party assessment and testing. Being in a position to offer pre-certified pitch systems broadens our market position and reduces the financial burden and time-to-market for our customers.“
Andreas Schröter, Executive Vice President Renewable Certification at DNV GL added: ”As the wind industry is picking up pace, the business processes are also professionalising. We understand that the recent market developments require component suppliers to provide not just components of the highest technical standard but the demand for pre-certified products from manufacturers is growing exponentially.”