Regional Test Centers
Although NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) has facilities sufficient for testing up to eight small wind turbines per year, this is not enough to satisfy testing requests from consumers, manufacturers, and state and utility incentive programs. NREL and the U.S. Department of Energy are currently defining its Regional Test Centers project and how NREL will assist in establishing Regional Test Centers.
In 2006, small wind stakeholders were surveyed about small wind turbine certification.
Eighty-nine percent of the manufacturers who responded said that certification is important to their business.
The survey results indicated that applications to certify 30-70 small turbines will likely be submitted in the first few years.
Fifteen state and utility incentive programs will likely require small wind turbine certification.
With this foreseeable demand, additional testing organizations must be established.
In October 2009, NREL hosted a Regional Test Center Workshop for potential and existing small wind turbine test organizations. The workshops 34 participants heard presentations (Workshop presentations) on topics such as the International Electrotechnical Commission standards for testing wind turbines; the American Wind Energy Association standard for safety and performance; test-site selection, development and assessment; small wind turbine test procedures; independent test project results; and lessons learned in siting and testing. The attendees also participated in a hands-on sessions about DAS and data, bench testing, and acoustic noise emissions DAS.
For more information about the Regional Test Centers, contact Tony Jimenez.
