For manufacturers of wind turbine components, TÜV NORD can perform component certification, which would certify the conformity of the relevant component to a chosen standard. The applied procedures as well as the scheme are similar to those within a type certification.
A component certificate can be issued independent to a certain turbine type. Design evaluation is conducted based on design loads. Using loads comparison and other interfaces, the component certification can be implemented into a type certification of the relevant wind turbine on later stage. Most common applications of component certification would be rotor blades, gear boxes or towers.
A component certification offers the following advantages for the manufacturers of wind turbines
Advantages:
- Component certificate can be implemented into various turbine type certificates with minimal efforts
- Component certification timeline can be independent from turbine certification timeline
- Changes in design or manufacturing processes will not directly effects the type certification
- Added value for market entry
![](https://www.tuev-nord.de/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_tuev-nord-windenergy-component-certification_3617eebdef.jpg)
![](https://www.tuev-nord.de/fileadmin/_processed_/e/6/csm_tuev-nord-windenergy-component-certification_c3d3330484.jpg)
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For component certification, the design loads should cover all possible turbine loads especially those required for component type testing. In case of higher turbine loads, then a new test might be required. Interfaces such as bolted connections to turbine as well as lightning protection system should be taken into consideration.