
Dynamometer and Power Take-Off Testing at National Laboratory of the Rockies
Facility Overview
The lab’s dynamometer research facilities can evaluate new power take-off (PTO) designs and assess a variety of components and subsystems—including generators, gearboxes, mechanical or electro-dynamic brakes, power electronics, control systems, and software. Manufacturers and design engineers can use our facilities to study PTO system performance and the integration of generators and power electronics with the electric grid, perform accelerated lifetime certification, and develop software.
Fact Sheets
5-MW, 2.5-MW, 225-kW, and 40-kW dynamometers
3-kW and 15-kW dynamometers specifications






Facility Capabilities
Capabilities: • Perform steady-state evaluation to determine a PTO's power curve • Conduct highly accelerated assessments in which the PTO is intentionally overloaded to determine its useful operating lifetime • Operate in normal rotational or linear motion by using hydraulic actuators • Operate in reciprocating (bidirectional) motion and provide or absorb power in either direction • Apply secondary forces and moments other than the primary, driving torque or force • Use "model-in-the-loop" techniques to emulate various system parameters with computer simulations that are operating in real time • Connect to the controllable grid interface so that researchers can better understand how PTOs react to grid disturbances.
3 Facility Capabilities
- Dynamometry
- Electrical Power Hardware Testing
- Hydraulic Power Hardware Testing























































