Intertek gains accreditation for small scale wind testing
30 May 2013
Intertek's lab in Kista, Sweden, was recently accredited to test small scale wind turbines according to standards IEC-EN 61400-2, IEC-EN 61400-11 (noise) and 61400-12-1 (performance). Intertek Sweden is one of only three accredited test houses in Europe for this type of testing and the only European test house accredited for testing at customer sites.
Intertek's tests of small wind turbines are mainly carried out at the dedicated test site Lilla Båtskär in the Åland islands. In addition, Intertek are unique in Europe in being able to perform accredited testing a customer sites.
Small wind turbines manufactured or sold in the EU are required to carry the CE mark. This means that the manufacturer or the importer certifies that the product complies with EU regulations on health and safety. To support the CE mark, the manufacturer or importer is required to provide a test report showing that the wind turbine has been tested according to standard for a minimum of six months.
In addition, many manufacturers choose to do accredited tests, as an accredited test report works as technical documentation for the British MCS certification. This certification is an eligibility requirement for the Feed-in Tariff, a British government's financial incentive giving owners of MCS certified small wind turbines a higher tariff when selling electricity to the national grid. Similar schemes are in place in many European countries. In Sweden, discussions are underway on the possibility of implementing something similar.
In 2011, the IEA (the International Energy Agency) created a voluntary consumer labeling of small wind turbines stating noise levels and output at different wind speeds. The labeling must be issued by an independent third party, an independent test house.
According to IEC-EN 61400-2, a small wind turbine is a wind turbine with a swept rotor area of less than 200 sqm. The entire turbine – foundations, tower, rotor, generator etc – is tested according to the standards.
For more information, please contact
Tom Bengter, senior sales manager, wind, Intertek
Tel +46 8 750 03 78, e-mail tom.bengter@intertek.com
Carin Wikström, press officer, Intertek
Tel: 08 750 01 18, e-mail: carin.wikstrom@intertek.com
About Intertek:
Intertek is the leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value to customers' products, processes and assets. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 35,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies' success in a global marketplace. Intertek helps its customers to meet end users' expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.se.