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– UL Solutions passes 1 gigawatt wind turbine evaluation milestone in Germany, advancing the safe generation of cleaner, more sustainable energy
UL Solutions has evaluated wind turbines in Germany with a collective energy capacity to power 100 million LED (Light-Emitting Diode) bulbs.
UL Solutions wind energy experts will offer the keys to optimizing the useful life of wind farms and repowering them at the Wind Europe 2024 event
NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — UL Solutions, a global leader in applied safety sciences, has completed life evaluations of wind turbines in Germany with a collective energy capacity of more than 1 gigawatt (GW) , enough to power 100 million LED bulbs. This milestone represents UL Solutions’ impact in supporting the safe operation of wind turbines that play an essential role in Germany’s transition to renewable energy.
Turbine life assessments help owners make decisions about operation, maintenance and repairs, with the ultimate goal of supporting the safety and maximizing the value of wind assets. Wind turbines are typically designed for a target life of 20 years. However, in many cases, actual wind conditions are less aggressive than design conditions and there is sufficient margin for the turbine to operate beyond its intended life. This can be determined through a site-specific life assessment.
“Life assessments are an increasing priority for the wind energy industry due to aging assets and safety challenges,” noted Pauline Levée, engineering leader for UL Solutions’ Renewable Energy group. “While a turbine life assessment is required in Germany, it can also enable owners and operators to improve asset value, support crucial business decisions when the end of the design life is approaching, and help anticipate component replacements.
UL Solutions has conducted these evaluations on customer turbines with a total capacity of more than 1 gigawatt of energy, which the U.S. Department of Energy says is enough to power 100 million LED light bulbs. EOS Wind is one of UL Solutions’ clients, whose project contributed to this milestone.
“UL Solutions helped EOS Wind achieve our operational objectives, resulting in a report that has been recognized by the authorities approved by the German Federal Immission Control Act to allow us to continue operating our wind turbines,” explained Gregor Gloystein, Area Manager Germany at EOS Wind Deutschland GmbH. “Through UL Solutions’ expertise in wind turbine assessments, lifespan and operations, we had the opportunity to identify and manage potential risks with expert opinions and analysis supporting the decision-making process.”
UL Solutions performs turbine life assessments in accordance with UL 4143, the standard for extending the life of wind turbines. UL 4143 establishes a process for evaluating wind assets through on-site inspection of turbines and blades focused on structural integrity. It also provides for an analytical evaluation of site conditions to determine the remaining useful life of each structural component. The evaluation uses wind turbine aeroelastic models and load simulations in addition to operational data provided by the turbine operator, such as historical on-site wind measurements, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data, maintenance records and inspection, information on energy restrictions and more.
Analysis results include a risk assessment of the remaining useful life of major structural components, replacement or remediation cost estimates, recommendations for energy optimization, and forecasts of operating costs and capital expenditures.
Members of UL Solutions’ Asset Advisory team will share insights on how to address the unique challenges of the wind industry at Wind Europe, an event promoting the use of wind energy in Europe, March 20-22 in Bilbao . Focus topics will include wind farm life extension and optimization strategies and energy assessments to repower an underperforming wind farm by replacing older wind turbines with newer, more efficient designs.
Learn more about UL Solutions’ wind energy advisory services.
About UL SolutionsA global leader in applied safety sciences, UL Solutions transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 100 countries. UL Solutions provides testing, inspection and certification services, along with software products and consulting offerings, that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth. UL certification marks serve as a recognized symbol of confidence in our customers’ products and reflect an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission. We help our clients innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly into the future. Our science is your advantage.
Media Contact:Tyler KhanUL SolutionsULNews@UL.comT: 1 (847) 664.2139
Steven BrewsterUL SolutionsULNews@UL.comT: 1 (847) 664.8425
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