The challenge is not to develop a large rotor blade; the challenge is to develop a complete new turbine. Choosing the right materials that solve the problems of a blade longer than 60 meters is the challenge according to Dr. Christian Vogl, Project Manager Blade at Nordex Energy. "Interview with Nordex: Design, Production & Logistics of Large Rotor Blades - Size does matter!" >> Download the expert interview here: http://bit.ly/Vogl_Interview

1. Expert Interview
Dr.ChristianVogl’spresentationatthisyears’AdvancesinRotorBladesforWindTurbinesConference,
24 - 26 February in Bremen, will be all about very large onshore blades. Together with his colleague
Hendrik Klein, the Project Manager Blade at Nordex Energy GmbH will discuss design issues, how
to choose the right materials, as well as the logistical challenges that come with very large onshore
rotor blades. We had the chance to talk to Dr. Christian Vogl before the event and wanted to know
the following:
www.wind-rotor-blades.com
Design, Production & Logistics of Large Rotor Blades:
Size does matter!
IQPC: You are Project manager of the new
NR 65.5 blade. Can you give us some more
information about your background and who
is involved in this project?
Dr. Christian Vogl: The products of Nordex are
developed according to our Product Evolution
Process (PEP). Included in this process is not
only the R&D department but also all other
processes responsible in any part of the life-cycle
of a turbine. Therefore the team does not only
consist of engineering participation but instead
is a close collaboration with production, logistics,
certification, procurement and some more
departments.
My job as project manager is to manage the
cooperation between all departments, to keep
an eye on timeline and milestones, to support
and report until start of series production. The
prototype blades were produced at Carbon Rotec
in Lemwerder, but from 2015 on Nordex is going
to produce the NR65.5 on its own.
Some words on my background: After my Ph.D.
in chemical engineering I worked as project
manager for carbon fibre development for four
years at SGL Carbon’s R&D department. In 2011 I
took over the management of the NR58.5 project
and later on of the offshore blade NR75. 2012 and
2013 I worked for a manufacturer of carbon fibre
lines, in 2014 I came back to Nordex to manage all
blade projects for the Generation Delta turbines
of Nordex, including the NR65.5.
IQPC: What – in your opinion - is the current
challenge for the wind industry regarding the
development of very large onshore blades?
Dr. Christian Vogl: Size does matter. Almost
each wind turbine manufacturer increases the
diameter of the turbine and thereby the length of
the rotor blade. The reason is clear: the bigger the
diameter, the better the energy production.
But to increase energy production compared to
a turbine with a smaller diameter does not mean
that longer blades are easily installed. The bigger
the turbine, the more important is the interaction
between all modules of the turbine, starting from
the rotor blade, going over to hub, drive train,
generator and ending in the tower.
The challenge is not to develop a large rotor
blade; the challenge is to develop a complete
new turbine using a large rotor blade and to
have an overview about the whole turbine. You
don’t optimize a blade anymore; you optimize the