DEKRA at WindEnergy Hamburg (September 22 to 25, 2026)
Focus on Safety and Cost-effectiveness
Sep 10, 2026The safe and cost-effective operation of wind turbines is not a given. The inspection and testing activities relating to these installations are many and varied, and concern a range of technical areas and legal fields. At WindEnergy 2026 in Hamburg, Germany (September 22 to 25, 2026), DEKRA experts will demonstrate how the company – as Germany’s largest inspection and testing organization – supports manufacturers and operators throughout the life cycle of wind turbines.
Through its presence across Germany, DEKRA is a single-source provider of all testing, inspection, and expert assessment services, also in the form of combined offerings. This minimizes organizational effort and downtime, thus facilitating safe and cost-effective operation.
Ensuring system safety and increasing system availability
A large number of tests are prescribed for wind turbines. In its role as an accredited inspection body, DEKRA provides inspection services in accordance with German industrial safety regulations (BetrSichV) for service lifts and pressure vessels in all onshore and offshore installations. DEKRA also performs electrical testing and tests of cranes, ladders, fall arrester systems, and anchor points.
Before a wind turbine is connected to the grid, it may have to undergo final inspection (FI) and acceptance testing (AcT). The installation’s safety and operability is checked in the context of periodic inspections (PI), another area in which DEKRA employs highly qualified experts.
Alongside statutory testing, DEKRA also offers a range of test services on the free market. These include gear inspections, measuring functions, the analysis of equipment, and end-of-warranty (EOW) tests. Condition-oriented inspections are complementary inspections that focus on an installation’s condition with the goal of facilitating maintenance and repair decisions and early damage detection. They may be required to obtain insurance cover or when there is a change of operator and help to enhance an installation’s availability.
Decision to continue operation
After 20 years of operation, a decision will usually be taken whether to continue operating, modernize, or dismantle a wind energy installation. DEKRA experts provide support for this in the form of the necessary further operation report.
On the basis of the operating (e.g., SCADA) data recorded, DEKRA experts perform calculations to deliver reliable statements as to how long a wind energy installation could potentially continue to be operated. These calculations are additionally verified by an inspection of the installation. Comparative data from other wind turbines can also be consulted in order to analyze service life, productivity, wear, and faults. If required, DEKRA experts additionally prepare valuations and damage appraisals.
Focus on sector coupling
One current challenge for stakeholders is sector coupling – for example, the operation of integrated facilities with hydrogen as an energy source. With its nationwide network of experts, DEKRA provides safety-related services in this context, serving as an accredited inspection body for explosion protection (ZÜS-ex) according to the German industrial safety regulations (BetrSichV) and for hydrogen tank pressure.
In addition, specialized DEKRA experts have complete knowledge of the containment systems for dangerous goods and hydrogen filling systems in accordance with the European Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR) and the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED). DEKRA also inspects electrolyzers before they are commissioned and on a periodic basis. Moreover, the organization offers pre-commissioning testing for PV systems in accordance with Germany’s VdS and VDE electrical safety standards and for battery energy storage systems (BESS).
At WindEnergy 2026, DEKRA will also be exhibiting in the Recruiting Area in Hall B3.OG, RD.207.
DEKRA at WindEnergy Hamburg:
September 22 to 25, 2026, Hamburg Messe
Hall A1, Booth 210