Wind turbine certification launched by Lloyd's Register Energy

Lloyd’s Register Energy, an authority on safety, asset reliability and business performance, has launched the Wind Turbine Type Certification IEC 61400 service to help overcome many of the technical, financial and environmental risks associated with turbine design and manufacturing.

Type certification confirms that the wind turbine type is designed, documented and manufactured to comply with the design specifications, specific standards and other technical requirements. As noted by Lloyd’s Register Energy VP Renewables Ross Wigg, “Success in the wind energy industry requires multidisciplinary competencies to understand the wind resource; choose appropriate technology; and design, install and operate robust projects.”

But recent consolidation in the industry has reduced the number of organisations offering turbine-type certification services. Wigg said, “With the certification landscape changing, we have launched this new certification service to address a growing need in the market for independent provision of type certification for onshore and offshore wind turbines.”

The Lloyd’s Register Type Certification process is carried out in accordance with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) - IEC 61400-22 - which is an internationally recognised and a mandatory requirement in some regions. It sets out the key requirements for assessment of wind turbine design, manufacturing and testing. The certification and testing of wind turbines is essential to provide confidence, trust and continuity to all entities involved in wind energy projects, from the wind park operators and banks, through to government and agencies involved in the sector.

The company also has launched a pre-certification ‘SMART Audit’ module specifically designed to plan for innovation challenges in future technology advances. Its experts conduct a full audit of a client’s early-stage design, management systems and resources so they can make adjustments where necessary. A pre-certification audit is then put in place to plan for likely technical or innovation challenges which can be worked through in advance, minimising delays further down the line.

“We are providing the global wind sector with a different service offering to what is presently available,” said Wigg. “This includes training seminars to help clients understand the standards available, the certification process, how to prepare and how to avoid the typical stumbling blocks.”

Wigg noted that the certification process is “structured in a way that supports innovation where there is a clear case for thinking differently”. Ultimately, the service will support the end users of turbines - typically developers - who require that the technologies they use are effective, robust and safe.