Østerild Test Center: Lessons Learned in Setting up a Wind Test Center for Offshore Wind Energy

This report has been developed as part of the Danish Energy Agency’s global cooperation in assisting India in achieving its transition to green energy. It synthesizes the lessons learned from planning, constructing and operating the Danish national test center for large-scale wind power, the Test Center Østerild. It first describes the background to the Danish national center for large-scale wind turbines, the parliamentary decision-making process, starting with the screening of relevant sites, and the final selection of Østerild, including the environmental impact assessment, public hearings and the further expansion of the center. The business model is also presented. Secondly, it describes the construction and operation of the Test Center Østerild and its organisational and management arrangements. It briefly highlights the importance of certification as a Renewable Energy Test lab under the IECRE (IEC System for Certification to Standards relating to Equipment for use in Renewable Energy Applications), lists some of the many R&D projects that have benefited from these large-scale test facilities and concludes with a description of the visitor center. Lastly it summarises the lessons learned and the key features in the planning, design and operation of the Test Center Østerild.