advances in wind assessment technology: industry pursuit of higher resource measurements
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Advances in Wind Assessment Technology: Industry Pursuit of Higher Resource
Measurements
Brazil Windpower 2010David SimkinsNRG Systems, Inc.
Presentation Overview
• Wind Resource Assessment (WRA)o Common systems and practiceso Driverso Limitationso Advances
• Summary
WRA – Measurement systems and common measurement practices
• Lattice or tilt-up tubular• Existing comm towers• Reliable data loggers• Robust, accurate wind speed sensors• Robust = durable• Ideal sensor is both
accurate and durable
Why measure? Gather data about the resource with objective to reduce uncertainty (manage risk)
• More sensor heights and sensor redundancyo Maximize wind shear characteristicso Maximize wind rose coverage
•Variety of sensorso Pairing of 3-cup anemometers, different brands
o NRG #40Co P2546A WindSensoro IEC classification, calibration, cost
o Vertical wind speed sensors more widely used
WRA – Measurement systems and common measurement practices
• Data loggerso 1-second sampling, 10 minute averaging =
worldwide industry standardo Increase in data logger sensor capacity
o More sensors require more channels
WRA – Measurement systems and common measurement practices
• More automationo Data transfer from site automated through
cellular or satellite communication services
WRA – Measurement systems and common measurement practices
TREND– More sensors and variety of sensors
Wind Resource Assessment - LIMITATIONS
• Tower based measurements rarely located precisely where wind turbines are constructed• High error in hub height shear extrapolations• Higher, hub height met towers are expensive structures requiring concrete foundations o Cannot be moved once constructed
• Anemometers are fixed or static – only measure a relatively small, fixed point in timeo Not capable of measuring the complete area utilized by the
wind turbine blades
WRA - LIMITATIONS
• Wind turbine maximum blade tip height is not hub height
Wind Resource Assessment - DRIVERS• Larger scale wind farms• Larger scale wind turbineso 80m typical though advancing to higher towers some regions
• Higher finance requirements o We are entering the era of the $1B wind farm
• Lowering of acceptable measurement uncertaintyo Wind turbine manufacturers want to know
more about the resource– Understand Potential for Significant Destruction
(PSD)– Protect manufacturer reputation– Underwriters wind turbine warranty terms– Correct specification of wind turbine for wind
regimeo Wind farm developers and owners want to know more about the
resource to improve their understanding of project risk
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WRA - ADVANCESRemote sensing technologies and the wind industryo SODAR – SOund Detection And Rangingo LIDAR – LIght Detection And Ranging
WRA - ADVANCESRemote sensing technologies and the wind industry• Can be moved around easily• Are especially effective when used in combination with met
towers (complimentary)• Can be set up and measuring within minutes• Measure to maximum blade tip height and beyond (200m+)• Are also useful AFTER the wind farm is constructed
• Power performance verification• Operations – grid integration, forecasting• Wind turbine site suitability studies
• Can be located close to met towers• LIDAR unaffected by precipitation events (rain, snow)
RS – Essential equipment for successful wind farm operations?
WRA - ADVANCESOther important incremental advances in tower-based measurements• More towers, more sensors• Increased use of sensor redundancy• Increased variety of sensors
o Not all sensors measure the sameo Increasing use of vertical wind sensors
• Stricter attention to sensor mounting• Use of fixed and mobile towers AND remote sensing
o Maximizes understanding of spatial variability without proportionally increasing cost
o Known as ‘Fixed and Mobile Tower’-methodology (FMT) ** WindLogics, Haynes, Scott and Moon, Dennis, Understanding Wind Variability in Complex Terrain – Applying the Fixed and Mobile Tower (FMT) Technique – CanWEA 23rd Annual Conference, 10/2/2007.
SUMMARYEMERGING TRENDS IN WRA• TOWERS
• More towers are better than less, especially in more complex terraino Met towers are relatively low-cost
– Measure twice – cut once … – “You can fix a gearbox, you cannot fix the wind”
• Industry using higher met towers with more sensors o 60m is typical at early measurement stages
• Higher wind turbines and much more attention to lowering overall measurement uncertainty
• Stricter attention to sensor mounting and documentation• More sensors and more sensor variety
SUMMARY• Budget constrained projects can utilize FMTo Technique claims reduced cost without compromising
study outcome • Using advanced WRA methodologies, such as RS, is in your best interesto Supports better financing and warranty termso Improves confidence in profitability of the Project
NRG Systems manufacturing plant, Hinesburg, Vermont
About NRG Systems
• Manufacturing plant located in Hinesburg, VT USA • 30+ years – wind industry experience
• Worldwide logistical capacity
• ‘Lean’ manufacturing production
• Sustainable business values and commitment
