The Poul la Cour Tunnel is a Danish national research infrastructure. It is situated at the Technical University of Denmark - DTU Risø Campus.
DTU Wind Energy has been carrying out wind energy-related research since 1978 and, thus, supporting the wind turbine industry, the government and the society in general. Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research have constituted an important part of the work at DTU Wind Energy, where e.g. design of airfoil families and rotors as well as understanding their aerodynamics and acoustics have supported the wind energy development.
Because of this research, airfoil families have been licensed to the industry since 2002.
In 2011, Danish stakeholders, i.e. wind turbine manufacturers, universities and other institutions with a potential interest in a large wind tunnel dedicated to wind energy, discussed the need and specifications for a possible wind tunnel. It was agreed that a unique tunnel with large dimensions and the ability to test not only aerodynamics but also aero-acoustics was needed.
The wind tunnel was funded by DTU, the Danish Research and Innovation Agency and the Region of Zealand, and the construction was finalized April 2018.
It was agreed with the stakeholders that tests supporting industrial development can constitute 50% of the time and research based tests can represent the remaining 50% of the time. An important feature of the wind tunnel is therefore to be able to handle wind tunnel tests in confidence and that preparations of tests as well can be carried out in confidence.
All interested companies and institutions can carry out aerodynamic and aeroacoustic tests, although certain emphasis will be on tests for wind energy purposes.