GL Renewables Certification plans new offshore certification

WORLDWIDE: Revised guidelines for the certification of offshore wind turbines will be published by GL Renewables Certification by the end of the year.

The announcement, which was confirmed in GL Group's 2011 annual report, comes as GL has been commissioned to certify Siemens' 6MW direct drive offshore turbine.

Other 2011 highlights include plans to expand GL Renewables Certification in China, North America and India. There are also plans to open a UK office this year.

The accounts also highlighted the potential offered by high-altitude wind turbines. Such systems are yet to be deployed commercially and include technologies such as kites, parachutes, rotating balloons and/or fixed wings, tethered to floating offshore platforms.