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RSS 2.0Wind Turbine Testing and Certification
The Myres Hill wind turbine test site offers high average winds speeds and complex terrain. The site has grid connections and can accommodate significant generated power levels. The site is available for measurement and testing of wind turbines.
View a short video of the site here on 
Our National Wind Energy Centre addresses the measurement and traceability issues associated with the development and performance testing of wind turbines. NEL is accredited by UKAS to test wind turbines to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and then certify to EN 45011:1998. Testing and certification to these standards are required by the DECC Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS Scheme). Turbines with a power rating up to 50kW must be MCS certified in order to receive the Feed-in Tariff (FiT).
The MCS Scheme has been established to provide potential operators of small wind turbines with confidence in the power output and annual energy yield of these wind turbines. The Scheme introduced a minimum set of requirements that small wind turbines must meet, which must be demonstrated by undertaking a series of tests.
NEL is leading a project, funded by DECC, to explore the potential for streamlining the certification process for small wind turbines from product testing through to final certification. As part of the initiative, the site has undergone an extensive period of refurbishment and now boasts 16 strategically placed bases for turbine testing.
Facilities are also available for the development and testing of small scale wind turbines and components. These are located on the NEL site in the Energy Technology Centre. The following assessments can be undertaken:
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Performance measurement of small wind turbines under steady-state wind conditions in the wind tunnel
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Measurement of generator performance characteristics
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Assessment of component strength, fatigue and durability
TUV NEL: ISO 17025 Accreditation