The offshore wind energy market is developing fast. Turbines, substations and offshore sites are increasing in size and they are in more challenging environments. Therefore, the industry requires vigilance in maintaining standards to keep pace with technology developments, enabling safe deployment and long term operation. Certification of wind farms, wind turbines and their components is state-of-the-art and a must in most places around the world. It helps to attract investors, satisfy insurers and to bring offshore project development on the next level. Furthermore assessment to harmonised regulations is an active support of export and eases market entries. Accompanied by certification of training systems or maintenance services it provides comprehensive backup for the whole project. Therefore it is important to know the certification processes and guidelines as well as the keystones of their development for all parties involved in a project lifecycle.
This paper puts focus on the latest guideline developments for GL 2012 and describes the outcome and latest innovations of GL Renewables Certification (GL RC) and its wind and marine energy committee for certification of offshore wind turbines and projects. Issues like load assumptions, floating wind turbines and risk based approval are some of them. A comparison to existing requirements is given and the benefits of Type and Project Certification for manufacturers, banks and insurances making use of the different certification schemes as well as guidelines will be described. The modules and procedures to obtain Type and Project Certificates are shown in detail.
