Technologies for the energy transition

Wind energy research

DLR Research Park Wind Energy WiValdi in the evening sun
View from OPUS 1 over the measuring mast array to the newly completed OPUS 2.
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Central wind measuring mast in Krummendeich
Central wind measuring mast of the mast array with anemometer on boom and platform for measuring instruments on the mast. The OPUS-1 wind turbine can be seen in the background.
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The final rotor blade hangs in the air
The last centimetres require special precision from the crane operator and their colleagues inside the nacelle.
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Wind energy is already the second largest source of power in Germany and makes up the largest proportion of power supplied from renewable sources. In 2022, a quarter of the country's power was generated from wind energy. Germany's onshore wind turbines currently produce an output of almost 60 gigawatts. By the end of 2030, this should almost double to 115 gigawatts. This requires a greater quantity of turbines, the use of advanced technologies, improved wind farm operation, and grid-friendly integration into the energy system. DLR's research contributes significantly to making wind energy more efficient, economical and quieter, and thus increasing its societal acceptance.

The wind energy research conducted at DLR is noteworthy for its interdisciplinary and cross-departmental approach. It benefits from considerable expertise and exchange, particularly from the field of aeronautics. It also emphasises close cooperation with partners from industry and research that enables rapid technology transfer to practical applications. In this way, DLR is helping to maintain and consolidate the strong position of the German and European wind power industry. Unique large-scale research facilities such as DLR's WiValdi wind energy research farm enable full-scale research under realistic operating conditions.

Background article

Wind energy

'From wind to torque with the Smart Rotor' describes the focus of DLR’s wind energy research. This uses expertise derived from DLR’s extensive aeronautics research work to develop more powerful, quieter and simpler wind turbines.

News on the topic

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Videos on the topic

Video: The wind is on for WiValdi

The DLR Wind Energy Research Park WiValdi in Krummendeich is in the starting blocks for wind energy research of the future. The goal is to make wind energy more efficient and quieter.

Video: Assembly of the rotor blades at DLR's WiValdi wind research farm

The rotor blades of the two wind turbines OPUS 1 and OPUS 2 contain a lot of advanced technology. In this video, DLR researcher Lukas Firmhofer offers an insight into the structure and goals of the wind research farm.

Video: Transport of the high-tech rotor blades for the DLR Research Park Wind Energy Krummendeich

With the WiValdi wind energy research park, DLR is setting up a facility in Krummendeich in Lower Saxony that is unique in this form. It makes it possible to research the technological aspects of wind power as one of the pillars of tomorrow's energy system on a real scale - together with players from the Wind Energy Research Network.

More information

Krummendeich Research Wind Farm WiValdi

More information material, announcements, images, videos and even live measurement data from Krummendeich, as well as details about the site, the research goals and how DLR is shaping wind energy research - all this is available on the WiValdi website.

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Contact

Denise Nüssle

Editor
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Corporate Communications
Pfaffenwaldring 38-40, 70569 Stuttgart
Tel: +49 711 6862-8086

Dr.-Ing. Jan Teßmer

Head of DLR Wind Energy Experiments Facility
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Wind Energy Experiments
Lilienthalplatz 7, 38108 Braunschweig