The new experimental tunnel, measuring around 70m-long and 50m-wide, will enable testing of advanced aerodynamic, aeroacoustic and aeroelastic measurements.
UPM dean Carlos Conde said: "This aerodynamic tunnel will be cutting-edge by any measure: there is no other facility in Europe in which all of these tests can be performed in combination, offering applications not only for wind power but also for the railroad and civil engineering industries."
Gamesa product development manager Antonio de la Torre said that the new tunnel will be used to undertake advanced full-rotor, aerodynamic noise measurements, dynamic tests and simulations.
"Once this facility is operative, we will be able to run these tests in Spain, which is where our R&D effort is based, underpinned by a staff of over 500 engineers," Torre added.
The tunnel will allow for static testing of the turbine blades by simulating wind incidence from any direction.
Scheduled to enter service during the last quarter of 2016, the tunnel will be managed by a trust comprising representatives from UPM and sponsoring companies including Gamesa.
The tunnel is also suitable for railroad and civil engineering applications.
