Hardware-in-the-loop Testing of Wind Turbine Nacelles for Electrical Certification on a Dynamometer Test Rig

This paper presents the design and implementation of a hardware-in-the-loop testing framework, for electrical certification of wind turbine nacelles on a dynamometer test rig. This is to enable a realistic test environment in the laboratory, comparable to that in the field. Assessment of electrical properties of wind turbines are usually executed in the field for the complete prototype, however, in the laboratory, missing system components have to be emulated and the effect of test rig's own actuators are to be attenuated. Therefore, implementation of an adequate real-time wind turbine simulation tool, an efficient control system for the test rig drive train, and a real-time automation system are considered and presented here. Furthermore, execution of type certification experiments according to national and international guidelines is described here and illustrative measurements are provided. The measurements in this case are obtained at Dynamic Nacelle Laboratory, while testing with the Enercon E-115E2 turbine. The results achieved demonstrate successful test execution in the laboratory and declare the advantage of test rigs.