Innovation in testing: MODA project to cut costs and boost reusability

R&D Test Systems, in collaboration with DTU Wind and Energy Systems, will launch the project MODA—short for “Modularization and Data-driven Design of Test Infrastructure for the Wind Industry.” With nearly 10 million DKK in funding from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP), the project will focus on transforming test bench infrastructure through standardization, modularization, and data-driven design. Over the next 3.5 years, the project will aim to deliver groundbreaking advancements that reduce material usage and development hours.

Standardization and modularization for a smarter future

The MODA project seeks to address key challenges in wind turbine testing by making test bench designs easier to reuse and adapt. By standardizing components and modularizing systems, the project aims to establish a feedback loop of knowledge, validation, and refinement for the most standardizable designs and models. This approach will enable better reuse of designs, calculations, and software, ultimately saving materials and reducing development time in future projects.

Daniel Nielsen, Project Manager at R&D Test Systems, highlights the dual benefit of this approach: “Our customers increasingly request more detailed and comprehensive data to optimize their solutions, and we see this as an opportunity to improve our own systems. MODA is designed to create a framework for better data utilization, enabling both innovation and refinement of test equipment while enhancing efficiency across the board.”

Data-driven design for enhanced efficiency

A core innovation of MODA is the integration of data-driven design into the test bench development process. By using high-quality data from test benches, R&D Test Systems aims to create a validation framework that feeds insights back into the design process. This will not only reduce overcapacity and material usage but also improve the accuracy and reliability of test systems.

The ultimate goal is to create a robust feedback loop where testing data informs the development of modular designs, leading to better optimization and reusability for future projects. This will contribute to greater cost efficiency and adaptability for manufacturers, suppliers, and testing facilities.

Improved test infrastructure

As wind turbine production scales to meet growing global energy demands, MODA represents a critical step forward in improving test infrastructure efficiency. The modular and data-driven solutions developed through this project will enable the industry to respond more flexibly to changing requirements while reducing costs and improving sustainability.

By the end of its 3.5-year duration, MODA aims to set new standards for testing infrastructure, offering a blueprint for modularity and data utilization that can serve the wind industry for years to come.