---
title: "Offshore blade test challenges: infrastructure and methods - PES - Power & Energy Solution"
description: Blades for offshore turbines have long since passed the 100 m threshold, and there is no end in sight. With increasing sizes and loads, the structural reserves of blades are being squeezed ever further by design engineers. Consequently, thorough validation at full-scale level is of the utmost importance to ensure reliability over the entire lifetime. [...]
---

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# [Offshore blade test challenges: infrastructure and methods - PES - Power & Energy Solution](https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-articles/offshore-blade-test-challenges-infrastructure-and-methods)

 Written by [Admin](https://pes.eu.com/exclusive-articles/author/admin) | Nov 19, 2023 12:00:00 AM

Blades for offshore turbines have long since passed the 100 m threshold, and there is no end in sight. With increasing sizes and loads, the structural reserves of blades are being squeezed ever further by design engineers. Consequently, thorough validation at full-scale level is of the utmost importance to ensure reliability over the entire lifetime. However, as the size and weight of the blades increase, large-scale testing becomes not only more important but also more challenging.

**New test infrastructure**

Starting with the obvious, access to test infrastructure that can handle the latest prototypes can be a critical bottleneck on the path to certification. Fraunhofer IWES recently inaugurated a full-scale blade test rig for large offshore blades with a length of 115 m and above. With a maximum static load of 160 MNm and a fatigue range of 140 MNm, it is well equipped to test the next generations of wind turbine blades.

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