Moog Supplies Testing Equipment for Blade Test Center for Suzlon Energy
– Turnkey Project Includes Test System Development, Configuration and
Comprehensive Training at Cutting-Edge Test Center
Moog’s Industrial Group, a division of Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B),
announced today that the Blade Test Center Gujarat (BTCG), which is part of
Suzlon Group, the world’s third largest wind turbine manufacturer,
successfully completed tests on a new wind turbine rotor blade using a Moog
test system. The design of the entire system was done by Moog on the basis of
specifications provided by WMC, a renowned knowledge center established by
the Delft University of Technology and the Energy Research Center of
Netherlands
The testing system, set up at a cost of
new test facility based in Vadodara in the
perform both dynamic and static testing on blades up to 65 metres (213 ft)
long. The test system provides the full testing capabilities that are
required for the certification of wind turbines for use in the field. Moog is
a leader in providing high-performance testing systems to the wind,
automotive and aerospace markets and recently strengthened its product
portfolio in the alternative energy sector.
The Suzlon test system runs on Moog Test Software and consists of one
Moog test controller accommodating 8 channels in which 6 are dedicated to the
electric system to perform static tests and 2 are dedicated to the hydraulic
system to run dynamic tests. Moog delivered the complete system including
high capacity actuators, a hydraulic power supply (i.e., hydraulic power
unit, control manifold, cooling tower and piping), winches able to be loaded
up to 200 kN, and hydraulic cylinders with 1,500 mm (59 in) stroke.
Moog’s previous experience with similar test rig installations, knowledge
of helicopter test techniques, and strong track record in hydraulic
actuation, project management approach and on-the-ground technical support
from its engineering team were key reasons for being selected by Suzlon for
the project.
“Being able to fully test new blades in our facility is a major step
forward for the Asian wind turbine market. It not only highlights Suzlon’s
overall thrust to maintain market leadership but also provides our non-Suzlon
customers with the best-in-class wind energy testing solutions. The new Moog
test system gives us a multitude of benefits ranging from cost efficient
operation to reduced development time for new blades, thus contributing to
worldwide growth in wind energy capacity,” said Dr.
Blade Test Center Gujarat.
“Suzlon Energy was very specific in their requirements and we are pleased
to see the completion of the tests for the first rotor blades at the BTCG
facility. The first time we came to this facility, all we could see was a
huge test stand and support frame for the actuators. Looking at the working
test system now, we feel we met a really exciting technical challenge. Our
local engineering team and our depth of experience in designing and
commissioning test systems were crucial to the success of this project and we
are delighted with the end-result,” said
Moog India.
“Our aim is to bring Moog’s motion control and testing experience to bear
on the challenges facing today’s wind turbine makers and buyers,” said
Huckvale
commitment to supporting customers locally with high-performance motion
control and testing solutions is core to our business mission and we are
really pleased with the successful collaboration with Suzlon in
About the Blade Test Center Gujarat
The BTCG is a test center for conducting full scale testing of wind
turbines blades. Global investors, developers, manufacturers and insurance
companies require full scale testing according to the Standards for Wind
Turbine Rotor Blades and it is mandatory to obtain a Type Certification
according to IEC 61400-23. The BTCG is the first of its kind in
located at about 22 km (approximately 13 miles) from Vadodara, Gujarat,
turbine makers in 2008 with 12.3% market share.* For more information, please
visit http://www.btcgujarat.com. For more information on Suzlon, please visit
http://www.suzlon.com.
About Moog
Moog’s Industrial Group designs and manufactures high performance motion
control solutions combining electric, hydraulic, and hybrid technologies with
expert consultative support in a range of applications including plastics,
metal forming, power generation, test and simulation. Moog customers include
leading automotive, aerospace and wind turbine manufacturers, testing labs
and global automotive racing teams. We help performance-driven companies
design and develop their next-generation machines. Moog’s Industrial Group,
with fiscal year 2008 sales of
part of Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) which had 2008 sales of
billion
Static Testing of Rotor Blades
This involves securing the end of a blade to a static test rig and using
winches facing each other on either side of the rig to apply positive and
negative loads. In a static test, blades are tested for their design loads,
including factors such as safety factors, blade manufacturing variations etc.
etc.
Fatigue Testing of Rotor Blades
This involves mounting the end of a blade to a dynamic test rig.
Hydraulic actuators are mounted on an actuator rig and connected to the blade
to apply vertical and horizontal cyclical movement simultaneously. Dynamic
testing determines the fatigue characteristics. It is an endurance test
whereby the different forces acting on blades as they rotate on a wind
turbine can be represented by specific load cycles.
Suzlon Group
* Suzlon and REpower, if taken together, stand as the world’s third
leading wind turbine supplier group in terms of market share. Market share of
12.3% is derived from BTM Consult ApS World Market Update 2008, ranking
Suzlon with 9% of global market share and REpower with 3.3% of global market
share.
Contacts: Think PR,
smita@thinkprindia.com
SOURCE Moog’s Industrial Group