University of Hannover
ContactLeibniz Universität HannoverAppelstr. 9A 30167 Hannover/Germany Institute for Structural Analysis phone: +49 511 762-3867 fax: +49 511 762-2236 e-mail: info@isd.uni-hannover.de web: www.isd.uni-hannover.de Institute for Steel Construction phone: +49 511 762-3781 fax: +49 511 762-2991 e-mail: stahlbau@stahl.uni-hannover.de web: www.stahlbau.uni-hannover.de |
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The heart of Leibniz Universität Hannover beats in the idyllic Welfenschloss, the Guelph Palace. In 1879 the Higher Vocational
School, originally founded in 1831, moved into the palace. Later, this school became the Königliche Technische Hochschule,
the Royal College of Technology. With more than 60 interdisciplinary and practice-orientated courses of study, Leibniz Universität
Hannover provides degree and further education courses which are orientated both towards demand and quality.
ForWind, the Center for Wind Energy Research of the Universities Oldenburg and Hannover was founded in 2003.
Research and development represent the core of ForWind`s activities.
Since its foundation it has been continuously supported by the state of Niedersachsen. Furthermore ForWind provides scientific
expertise for industry and special off-the-job training for employees of wind energy businesses.
ForWind cooperates with national and international institutions.
Research groups involved
At LUH about 40 highly qualified scientific co-workers focus their activities on wind energy research topics. Four faculties, including civil engineering (7 institutes), mechanical engineering (4 institutes), electrical engineering (2 institutes) and the faculty of architecture and environmental planning (1 institute) all contribute to interdisciplinary research and development in four fields of competence. The first field –wind energy integration- is concerned with issues arising from electricity network connection and the integration and control of wind energy systems. The second competence field -machine and rotor- performs essential tasks such as determining plant-specific drive train load spectrums, lifetime analyses of rolling bearings as well as condition monitoring and efficient production. Moreover, the development of material models for composite rotor blades is aimed at, as well as the investigation of aeroelastic problems. Within the third field –offshore and operation- all questions concerning the support structure, maintenance and reliability of wind energy plants are typical research topics. Within this context, system and load identification, structural health monitoring with methods of early damage detection and damage localisation are important issues. Activities in the forth competence field –environment- focus on the environmental impacts of offshore technology. The reduction of hydro noise during the building of a plant is of great relevance here, as well as fauna protection.
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Facilities & Advanced Research Tools
| Large Wave Channel | Worldwide largest wave channel for the simulation of waves and wave breaking |
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| Further wave testing facilities | Simulation of waves, currents and fluids in Basins and open channels |
| Underwater Technology Center (UWTH) | Sub-aqueous and atmospheric cutting, welding and material removal methods |
| Structural testing laboratories | Large 10 MN test stand; different testing facilities (resonance; fatigue), servo-hydraulic test stand, large hydraulic test frame |
| In situ and field measuring equipment (for dynamically loaded structures) |
Mobile exciter facilities (harmonic, stochastic and sweep); complete equipment for acoustic and hydraulic measurement |
| Measuring equipment | Complete optical, acoustic and electrical equipment |
| Large rolling bearing test stand (start in summer 2008) |
Testing of wind power typical large bearings with bore diameters up to 500 mm |
| Different test bed facilities for bearings | Investigation of average life span, friction and operating performance |
| Software | In-house integral SHM-system for beam-like structures requiring minimal number of sensors; tools like Waveload, Poseidon, HanOff or HanRiWa for the simulation of wind turbines. |
R&D Strategy
| TERM | |||
| short | medium | long | |
| Operation of wind turbines on an undisturbed / disturbed grid |  | | |
| Grid connection of large scale wind farms | |
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| Power system simulation with deterministic and probabilistic methods | | |
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| Analysis of power quality | | |
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| Life span of large rolling bearings | | | |
| Operating conditions and identification of plant-specific load spectrum and short-time excessive loads | | |
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| Improved analysis and design fundamentals for composite rotor blades (material model, failure criteria, fatigue, influence of manufacturing imperfections) | | |
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| Fast and cost efficient holistic design concept for offshore wind turbine support structures | | |
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| Integrated global SHM-system for foundation, tower and blades (new algorithms, new sensors, validation onshore and offshore) | | |
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| Holistic safety concept based on probabilistic methods | | |
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| New procedures for measurement, prediction and reduction of hydro noise and for fauna protection | | | |
Education and training activities
Within the faculties strong emphasis is put on all matters concerned with primary structures of wind turbines. Many graduates from Hannover are working for the wind industry. In cooperation with several institutes the faculty offers advanced training on ‘Load-carrying structures for wind turbines I and II’ (two courses starting in sequential semesters)’. Further important courses are ‘Stability Problems of Steel Structures’ and ‘Fibre Composite Lightweight Structures’ to prepare students for typical issues in their career. Thus knowledge in the field of modelling, loading and design of wind turbines can be transferred directly to engineers in industry. The courses offer training for graduating students as well as for employed engineers.
