Certification Test Procedures
"Step-by-Step"

This section provides a step-by-step outline for the certification process and, in particular, the process of planning, performing, and reporting certification tests of a wind turbine generator. The links below lead to more detailed information regarding each of the basic steps and procedures.

1. Investigate Certification Needs & Requirements

• Contact a Certification Agent
• Establish Certification Requirements
  (may be different for different agents)
• Assemble Necessary Documents

2. Certification Test Laboratory

• NWTC "Getting Started" Information
• NWTC Preliminary Contact Form

3. Test Plan Development

• Select Tests Required
• Write Test Plan
  • Description of Test
  • Develop Test Data Matrix
  • Timeline

4. Pre-test Preparation

• Checklist

5. Test Equipment Setup

• NWTC Test Equipment
  • which instruments
  • why needed
  • where they go
• Company Equipment
  • which instruments
  • why needed
  • where they go

6. Testing & Test Maintenance

• NWTC Test Program
  • Collects data and informs company when finished
• Company Site Test
  • visually inspects equipment daily
  • downloads data weekly, sends to NREL

7. Test Report

• Company Role
  • provides data and log sheets to NREL

• NWTC Role
  • reviews company or NREL data
  • writes certification test report (CTR)
  • provides CTR to company

8. Certification

• Company sends report to certification agent
• Clarification Process
• Type Certificate issued by certification agent

Prepared by
National Wind Technology Center
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Operated for the
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
by the Midwest Research Institute

Updated: November 21, 2002