Visit by the Rector of RUB at the SWiPLab
During an on-site visit in March 2024, the Smart WindPark Laboratory (SWiPLab) was presented to the Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, and showcased through a demonstration.
The key milestones, from the conception and development of the laboratory to its final completion, were summarized, and the current research areas in wind energy were outlined. In a subsequent live demonstration, the operation of a wind farm was emulated, illustrating aerodynamic, mechanical, and electrical interactions and processes, highlighting their relevance for research and development.
The unique research infrastructure of the SWiPLab enables the exploration and resolution of current and future research questions regarding the operation and optimization of wind farms and wind farm clusters, as well as their grid integration. During a joint discussion, the role of wind energy as a cornerstone of the energy transition, the significance of the SWiPLab, and the resulting opportunities for research projects and collaborations were discussed.
Photo: Inspection of the wind energy converter test benches at the Smart WindPark Laboratory research facility. (In the photo, from left to right: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Constantinos Sourkounis, Head of the Institute for Energy Systems Technology and Power Mechatronics, RUB; Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of the University, RUB)