RESEARCH
Our research topics
Research at three universities and 30 institutes and working groups
ForWind is the joint center for wind energy research of the universities of Oldenburg, Hannover and Bremen.
ForWind nimmt im Energie-Forschungszentrum Niedersachsen (EFZN) die EFZN-Forschungslinie Wind wahr. The EFZN is a joint scientific center of the universities of Braunschweig, Clausthal, Göttingen, Hannover and Oldenburg.
Together with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, ForWind forms the Research Alliance Wind Energy .
Optimize planning and forecasting for wind farms
ForWind analyzes the wind fields and turbulence generated in the wake of wind turbines and their influence on neighboring turbines in the wind farm. From this, important information can be obtained for the design parameters and the most favorable geometric arrangement of multiple plants in a park.
Wind energy as part of the decentralized energy networks of the future
ForWind conducts research in the field of wind power prediction and further develops existing methods. Suitable transmission systems for the grid connection of offshore wind farms and the integration of wind power into the interconnected grid are the subject of current research.
Loads on support structures of offshore wind turbines
ForWind works on reliable lifetime predictions, conducts research in the field of friction-locked connections and develops intelligent approaches for turbine monitoring. In particular, support structures of offshore wind farms are the subject of current research work.
Recycling and repowering as part of the wind energy value chain
What happens to the old plants? Can they continue to be operated through repowering or retrofitting, or is it technically or economically most sensible to decommission the plants? ForWind is investigating these and other questions concerning the sustainability of wind turbines.
Wind energy research for a regenerative future
Bundling research on wind energy and promoting knowledge transfer between science, industry and politics – this was the goal of the Center for Wind Energy Research ForWind when it was launched in 2004. Nine research groups from the universities of Oldenburg and Hannover joined forces at the time. In 2009, the University of Bremen joined the center. Today, ForWind has around 30 working groups with almost 300 employees at its three locations. They conduct engineering and physical research in all areas of wind energy.
In addition to numerous research projects, ForWind continuously expanded its infrastructure: With the “Test Center for Support Structures” at the University of Hannoverthe Large Wave Flow Channel GWK+, the influences of soil properties, waves and currents on foundations and the seabed of offshore wind turbines can be investigated on a large scale.
In Oldenburg, the scientists have been using their own mainframe computer infrastructure since 2010, which was renewed once again in 2023 to the latest generation. The heart of the Oldenburg WindLab is a turbulent wind tunnel. Its long measuring distance makes it possible to experimentally investigate the interaction of several wind turbines in a network. At the University of Bremen, a “Laboratory for Large Tooth Measurements” was established, unique in Germany, to analyze new and defective gear wheels of wind turbine generators. In 2023, the Krummendeich research wind farm near Cuxhaven was commissioned together with the partners from the Wind Energy Research Association. Here, two commercial wind turbines, a smaller experimental wind turbine and several measuring masts are available for research projects and measurement series.
Highlights
Insights into our current projects
DFWind
ForWind is a partner of DLR in the WiValdi wind energy research park through the DFWind projects.
C2 Wakes
Together with the project coordinator Fraunhofer IWES, ForWind investigates wake effects in offshore wind farms
WindRamp
Short-term forecasts of wind events to support operational grid management and trading processes
