Renewable energy is the way of the future for energy and environmental protection. Hence, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection (BSMI) and the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre (MIRDC) jointly established the Wind Turbine Testing Laboratory in response to the government's 5+2 Major Innovative Industries Plan. Research fund is provided by the BSMI while the Industrial Development Bureau provides support in the form of technology transfer through its Industrial Cooperation Program (ICP). The laboratory was accredited by the Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF) on August9, 2017, and hopes to provide the full wind turbine testing and certification capabilities necessary to satisfy the offshore wind turbine industry. The laboratory also aims to develop indigenous testing and certification capabilities, including power performance measurement technology, mechanical load measurement technology, wind turbine safety and functions, and noise measurement technology. It will provide testing and certification services that comply with international standards, so as to ensure the performance, quality and safety of wind turbines made in Taiwan. It can also provide domestic companies with development assistance, shortening their development schedule and reducing their cost.
The government is proactively developing offshore wind power to resolve the issue of energy shortage. Work items for establishing the Wind Turbine Testing Laboratory included technical training, technology transfer, and hands-on training of testing personnel using wind turbines of Taiwan Power Company. Specialized knowledge and technologies of wind turbines have been provided by German technical experts and Taiwan Power Company, who assisted in the establishment of testing and certification technologies in line with international standards. The laboratory is now accredited by the TAF and also obtained the recognition of Germany's TUV SUD. The participation of research organizations will bring Taiwan R&D capabilities onto the world's stage.
MIRDC is cooperating with “the Thousand Wind Turbines Project” and “the Green Energy Industry Advancement Promotion Plan” ratified by the Executive Yuan in 2014, and transferred wind turbine testing and certification technologies from Germany. It is hoped the wind power will assist the development of offshore wind farms, and the offshore wind turbine industry. The wind power industry of Taiwan will thus turn over a new leaf and bring us into a new era of green energy.