Wind Turbine MCS Certification

NEWS UPDATE: Proven P35-2 Wind Turbine
Following an extensive investigation of the Proven P35-2 wind turbine shaft failure, undertaken by the Energy Technology Centre, a way forward has been agreed that allows the MCS Certification suspension to be lifted with effect Tuesday 7 February 2012.

The details of the remedial actions required before P35-2s can be installed/be taken off brake, will be available from:
VG Energy
Waterside Farm
Glasgow Road
Galston
KA4 8PB Telephone: 01563 829990

It is suggested that all owners make direct contact with VG Energy who will advise on the arrangements for these remedial actions.

NEL is the leading MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) Product Certification Body for micro and small wind turbines.

NEL is also at the forefront of developments in Medium Wind Requirements.

We have full accreditation to ISO 9001 and UKAS accreditation under EN 45011 for product certification of small wind turbines and can provide full support to your company from design and development to MCS testing and certification (both MCS and CE approval).

NEL has a wealth of experience on wind turbines and has provided substantial input to research & development to allow the power performance, durability, noise output, strength and safety of small wind turbines to be assessed.

NEL has now certified the largest number of small wind turbines of any certification body including:

Consultancy Services:

Design support
Load and natural frequency calculations
Technical due diligence
Feasibility studies
Failure analysis
Scoping R&D & test programmes
Witness testing
Compliance advice
Technical file 'health check'
Auditing of testing bodies
Training
Modelling

Wind Energy

Development of the Medium Wind Requirements

RenewableUK, the trade and professional body for wind energy in the UK convened a Strategy Group to review the options for Medium Wind specifically in the UK. One of the outputs from the Strategy Group was the formation of a Medium Wind Technical Working Group with a remit to develop UK guidelines for Medium Wind Turbines, and also liaise with the MCS Scheme to develop a Medium Wind Certification Scheme in the UK. Following extensive discussions, this Technical Group now acts as the IEC 61400-1 Medium Wind Sub Group.

Membership comprises representatives from a number of manufacturers and Testing and Certification Bodies from around the world. NEL’s Wind Energy Operations Manager, Alistair Mackinnon now chairs this new technical group. The first formal meeting was held recently and we are please to report that good progress is being made towards the adoption of the UK Medium Wind Interim Guidelines. It is anticipated that these guidelines will form the basis of the Medium Wind criteria under the MCS Scheme.

Running in parallel with this UK activity is the workstream for TC88 (Technical Committee 88) of IEC (International Electrotechnical Committee) Maintenance Team 1 which is currently revising the Part 1 design requirements for wind turbines. There has been almost universal concern from the Medium Wind Sector on the applicability of the current edition to turbines that fall within the currently defined UK Medium Wind criteria ie those machines having a rotor swept area of 200 to 1000m².

The maintenance team have taken on board these concerns and asked that the Medium Wind Technical Group act as a focal point for this activity. It is likely that the new edition of the ‘dash 1’ Standard will have an annex specifically to meet the needs of these Medium Wind Turbines. There is much work to be undertaken but the Group is enthusiastically reviewing the current Standard and working towards a criteria that will hopefully better serve the needs of the sector without compromising safety or the robust nature of the testing and certification regime.

For further information regarding our MCS Certification (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), how we can assist you with MCS Certification or developments in Medium Wind, please contact us.