Global: Adwen’s AD 5-135 is the first turbine to obtain DNV GL Type Certificate based on 2012 Guideline for Offshore Wind Turbines

This new guideline updates the previous version from 2005 to fully comply with GL’s Guideline for Onshore Wind Turbines, edition 2010, and to cover IEC 61400, parts 1 and 3.

The new guideline contains a type certification process especially developed for offshore wind turbines. It takes into account the important increase on the average size of turbines experienced from 2005 as well as the use of advanced, intelligent control systems to mitigate loads. Furthermore, the machinery and electrical design requirements are improved to the latest state of the art.

The AD 5-135 is an evolution of the AD 5-116 of which Adwen has installed 630 MW, was first certified in March of 2015 according to this guideline and has been updated to cope with the specific configuration required for Wikinger offshore wind farm, Iberdrola’s 350 MW project in the Baltic Sea. Among the new features figure the 25-year operating lifetime and the Grid Loss System – a new smart system which allows energy production for self-consumption in case of temporary loss of grid connection.

“This certification proves that the AD 5-135 is a reliable and robust product that has kept pace with the latest developments in the industry in terms of design, manufacturing materials and processes, and performance. The fact that it is the first turbine to be certified under the latest standard demonstrates that our technology is at the leading edge of the offshore wind energy industry,” explains Maite Basurto, Adwen CTO.

“We are pleased to issue the first Type Certificate according to GL 2012 to Adwen for their AD 5-135 turbine, As the development of modern offshore wind turbines is rapidly progressing, the guideline GL 2012 is taking all the latest safety and reliability requirements into account, including updated qualifications for load, mechanical engineering and safety engineering,” states Mike Wöbbeking, Head of Certification Body at DNV GL-Energy.