Validation as the foundation for innovation

Sirris developed the climate chamber in collaboration with ZF Wind Power. The company, which manufactures drive systems for wind turbines, is the first to use the mobile chamber. A new product prototype is already being tested under extreme conditions at the ZF Wind Power site in Lommel. Validation is crucial in the wind industry. Extensive testing enables ZF Wind Power to manage the risks inherent in the industry. It is essential to obtain approval from customers, insurers and certification bodies in order to launch new designs. Every component must be reliable to keep turbines running continuously worldwide. Thanks to this innovative Belgian climate chamber, which can test at temperatures as low as -40°C, ZF Wind Power is consolidating its position as market leader in the wind industry.

“As a ‘Factory of the Future’ and a pioneer in onshore and offshore wind energy, we have a vested interest in continuously strengthening our position, as well as the confidence of our customers worldwide. In our own Test and Prototype Center we simulate real-life conditions, including functional load and robustness tests. This allows us to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the gearbox, similar to the situation at the top of the turbine. With a cold chamber, we test the behavior of the components under extreme temperatures. Thanks to this new mobile climate chamber, we can now also test our largest products in a safe, efficient and high-quality manner at our own location. In this way, we guarantee that our products perform at their best not only today, but also in the long term and in all conditions, so that turbines continue to run and the energy transition is assured," explains Bert Verdyck, CTO ZF Wind Power.