Adwen, a 50/50 joint venture between AREVA and Gamesa, has chosen Buffalo, N.Y.-based Sentient Science for computational gearbox testing of its 8 MW offshore wind turbine.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sentient Science’s DigitalClone computational testing software will be used to further validate the Adwen 8 MW platform drivetrain’s design and standards.
According to Sentient Science, DigitalClone is designed to provide an exhaustive and comprehensive validation strategy in which thousands of gearbox validation test points are computationally created within weeks – for a fraction of the cost of physical testing.
“Using Sentient’s DigitalClone is a first step in our extensive validation program. It will contribute to having a faster certification process and, finally, a more reliable turbine available in serial production in 2018,” explains Maite Basurto, chief technology officer of Adwen.
Sentient Science says the U.S. government, including the National Renewable Energy Lab and U.S. Department of Energy, has invested over $25 million in DigitalClone.
