Narec | Blade Test Facility

Blade Test Facility

The match-funded National Blade Test Facility project commenced in February 2010 and has an initial construction phase up to March 2012, with project completion date being March 2015.

The project will develop a large scale testing facility, utilising and expanding on technology developed by Narec over the last five years.

Narec’s existing blade testing capabilities will be enhanced by the facility, by providing an opportunity to test turbine blades up to 100m in length. The project will provide an independent and confidential open access environment for blade developers to accelerate development and test new blade designs and components onshore – improving their efficiency and reliability – before committing to costly and high risk testing and demonstration offshore.

The Blade Test Facility contains three primary elements:

Physical Blade Test hub and equipment;
A main structure to house the Blade Test hub and equipment;
Pitch bearing testing system.

The combination of all three will create a world class facility, benefitting from the unique draw of being the largest of its kind. By building on Narec’s existing test infrastructure, which is currently serving the global offshore marine and wind industries supply chain and industrial research community, the project will significantly enhance the UK’s competitive offer as the place to invest in manufacturing for the longer term.

This project is part financed by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, securing £2,499,500 ERDF investment through regional development agency One North East. The project is also supported by the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department of Business Innovation and Skills.

The ERDF Programme is bringing over £300m into the North East to support innovation, enterprise and business support across the region and is underpinned by the three important cross cutting themes of environmental sustainability, equality of opportunity and sustainable communities. Green growth, energyefficiency and supporting the regional transition towards a low carbon economy remains a high priority of the fund.

Deliverables:

Post-construction, the facility will run as an open access centre operating on a semi-commercial basis and will cater to both commercial customers and non-commercial research and development users, with blade manufacturers being the primary clients.The project will also work towards completion of a number of outputs and results focusing on provision of assistance to regional Small and Medium Enterprises to increase opportunity for business diversification and access to non-destructive testing facilities.

These SMEs will receive advice and guidance within the wind sector to cultivate a better understanding of the market requirements and/or access the facility to help achieve appropriate utilisation.

Key Achievements To Date:

Under the construction phase, the project success to date has included:

Planning approval for the new building granted on 16 November 2010
Narec welcomed Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to Narec to oversee the groundbreaking for the future site of the Blade Test Facility.
Mid-August 2011, 60% of the building framework completed.

Narec - Narec is increasingly recognised as the national centre for the UK dedicated to accelerating the deployment and grid integration of renewable energy and low carbon generation technologies, utilising offshore wind, wave, tidal, solar PV and thermal power.

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