Wind turbine nacelle testing: State-of-the-art and development trends

Wind turbine nacelles are complex machines that are designed to operate under extreme loads and harsh environments. Extensive tests are performed throughout their development process to ensure that they can operate with high reliability. As both onshore and offshore wind turbine systems have rapidly evolved, so have the methods for testing the nacelle systems and subsystems. This paper presents the state of the art in wind turbine nacelle testing and the development trends in this field. It discusses the existing test requirements for certification and the different levels of testing that form part of a nacelle system’s development. The latest changes to the nacelle certification requirements are highlighted, along with several important research activities related to drivetrain testing. Future challenges for nacelle testing are identified and their potential solutions are proposed.