Renewable energy sources are key to overcoming the challenges of the clean energy revolution. aerodyn engineering develops new systems that allow better utilization of the force of airflows to generate power. Testing these plants under harsh conditions requires dependable testing and measuring equipment. The wind power experts rely on HBM sensors for the testing of a new offshore turbine off the Japanese coast. The S9M force transducer from the global technology and market leader in test and measurement provides aerodyn engineering with precisely measured data, even with measurements below the sea surface.
The global demand for energy is growing rapidly. Every year, 16,330 billion kilowatt-hours of electrical energy is consumed worldwide, and the number only keeps rising. Renewable energy sources are especially becoming increasingly important to power generation. The reason behind this is that, to reduce CO2 emissions and limit climate change, technologies that generate power more efficiently and that are more environmentally friendly than, for instance, traditional gas and coal power stations are required. aerodyn engineering develops innovative wind turbines that allow better utilization of wind power. Before deploying these systems, the technology company located in Büdelsdorf, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany performs tests to investigate how their constructions prove themselves under extreme environmental conditions. These series of complex tests require robust testing and measuring equipment that provides reliable data, even underwater. Experts at aerodyn engineering, therefore, use high-grade sensor technology such as HBM’s high-precision S9M force sensor to test a new offshore wind turbine.aerodyn engineering is currently testing the model of a new floating wind turbine off the coast of the Japanese island of Kurahashi that can independently align itself according to the direction of the wind because of a swivel joint. An important aim of this series of tests is to determine the load on the six anchoring cables that are fixed at the bottom of the sea to keep the wind turbine in its position. The measurements that take several months require dependable testing and measuring equipment with the following features:
For its series of tests, aerodyn engineering uses the S-shaped high-precision S9M force sensor and various installation accessories. Additionally, HBM’s U9C miniature load cell is used for further measurements of the rotor tower’s guy ropes.
“We need reliable testing and measuring equipment for the complex testing of our new offshore wind turbine. The S9M force transducers provide reliable and very precise data about the tensile loading of our anchoring system, even in extremely harsh conditions at sea,“ says Martin Bode, Senior Chief Engineer at aerodyn engineering.
“Our hermetically encapsulated S9M force sensor is the optimal solution for aerodyn engineering’s measurements below the sea surface that take several months. Our products are thoroughly tested. This ensures that every sensor fully meets our and our customers’ quality requirements,“ says Christoph Miks, HBM Sales Engineer.The S9M force sensor optimally meets the wind power experts’ requirements. The S-shaped force transducer is available with seven different capacities, ranging from 0.5 kN to 50 kN. It measures tensile and compressive forces very precisely and can be used for a wide range of static and dynamic measurement applications; for instance, in test benches, lever-arm torque measurements, and production and monitoring tasks. "Due to its minimized temperature dependence and the very small effect of parasitic forces, the S9M allows for extremely high precision in the sensor’s lower measurement range, also in extremely harsh environments, regardless of whether force is measured in industrial applications or below the sea surface,” says Christoph Miks, HBM Sales Engineer. The S9M offers high accuracy (HBM accuracy class: 0.02); thus, it provides a precision that is unique for a sensor with this design and is also extremely robust. The force sensor is hermetically sealed and is rated with an IP68 degree of protection, i.e., it is suitable for immersion underwater. “The welded and sealed strain-gauge installation optimally protects the sensitive strain gauges against the ingress of water, also during the long-term measurements performed by aerodyn engineering. Our products are thoroughly tested to ensure that every sensor fully meets our and our customers’ quality requirements,"states Christoph Miks.
“Our innovative wind power systems promote the clean energy revolution. To achieve this, we need partners that join us in breaking new ground. The HBM experts advise us to enable us to get optimal results from our tests. They have always assisted us quickly in our projects worldwide, due to their global presence,“ says Martin Bode, Senior Chief Engineer at aerodyn engineering.Besides the S9M force sensor, aerodyn engineering uses additional accessories such as the matching knuckle eyes that are optimally tailored to the sensor’s capacity. The wind power experts additionally use the U9C miniature load cell to measure the tensile loading of the rotor tower’s three guy ropes. Due to its high dynamics and robust stainless-steel measuring body, it precisely acquires load changes in the guy ropes over a long period of time. "We offer a wider range of sensors and measurement electronics for every requirement,” says Christoph Miks. “We provide our customers with technology comprising the complete measurement chain from a single source, ranging from the sensors to the measurement electronics and matching installation accessories.” aerodyn engineering has relied on HBM’s extensive expertise in sensors and testing and measuring technology for several years. "We need a partner that joins us in breaking new ground and promoting our innovative wind energy concepts,” says Martin Bode, “The HBM experts advise us and provide us with high-grade, dependable technologies that make our prototype test runs more efficient and reliable. We benefit from HBM’s global presence in our tests worldwide, for instance, when spontaneous measurement missions require rapid deployment.”