Inside view of Sirris' large climatic test chamber as part of Harsh R&D Lab with man to illustrate the size of chamber

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Lab Harsh R&D-test | Next generation climatic test lab for harsh environment R&D testing of the future 15-20MW offshore energy systems

Region:

Federal

Financed by

This infrastructure research project is delivering the next generation of climate chambers, which will allow future 15-20MW offshore wind power drivetrains and the systems used in offshore hydrogen, energy storage, floating solar parks and offshore energy islands to be tested realistically.

Context

The power capacity of wind turbines is evolving towards 20MW (and beyond). The planned R&D infrastructure aims to test and support the research of next-gen offshore energy systems in harsh conditions, enhancing technology readiness for 15-20MW wind drivetrains, energy storage, hydrogen generation, and offshore grids in Belgian renewable energy projects. We expect these innovations to be integrated into offshore wind farms, energy islands, hydrogen units, and floating PV stations, ensuring high performance and reliability, reducing O&M costs, and securing Belgium's energy supply. This project, along with future research initiatives, will optimize offshore wind infrastructure, foster innovative sea-based renewable energy technologies, and advance offshore hydrogen production, solidifying Belgium's leadership in the offshore energy transition.

Climate test cold start drive train in Sirris' large climate chamber

Objective and results

Following objectives will contribute to increasing the technology readiness level and specifically the reliability and robustness level of new developments and innovations that need to operate in harsh environments such as the Belgian North Sea. These objectives are:

Define the detailed specifications of the next generation climatic test lab able to test and research the future offshore energy systems and components for harsh climatic environments
Design and construct the proposed R&D infrastructure according needs and according specification within budget, time window and with high quality of works.
Commission and learn to use the new R&D infrastructure by representative commissioning and acceptance tests to ensure high quality test campaign in future research and test trajectories with industry and academics.
Disseminate the possibilities of the new targeted R&D infrastructure and inform a broad target group active in the (offshore) energy transition both industrial and academically.