open-source wind resource monitoring
TRANSCRIPT
Wind Empowerment Seminar
Open-Source Wind
Resource MonitoringResource Monitoring
Matt Little
Background
Problems
• Incorrect siting of wind turbines
• Difficult to find accurate local wind speed data
– Even though area mapped very well by US military
• Low resource level in some proposed sites• Low resource level in some proposed sites
• Periods of very high wind speed (typhoons)
• Cost of monitoring systems outweighs cost of
installation
Resource Monitoring
• Low cost
• Simple to use
• Stand-alone
• Upgradable software• Upgradable software
• DIY construction/Local manufacture
• Easy to maintain/fix
Overview of project
Wind speed measurements
Need to know the wind speed accurately
Gives confidence that turbine will perform well
Large installations – can afford high cost Large installations – can afford high cost
monitoring systems
Smaller installations – usually just rely upon
basic assessment
Wind Speed Distribution
http://www.motiva.fi/myllarin_tuulivoima/windpower%20web/en/tour/wres/weibull.htm
Wind Rose
Cup Anemometer
• Rotates at a rate proportional to the
wind speed
• Wide range available, from low cost
to very well calibrated unitsto very well calibrated units
• Price range £3.00 - £400.00
• Output is a frequency which relates to
windspeed.
• Needs to be tested and calibrated
Ultrasonic Anemometer
• Uses difference in time for
ultrasonic pulses
• Also measures wind direction
• No moving parts• No moving parts
• Requires high-tech sensors
• Requires power supply
• Higher cost
Available units
Many anemometers available.
Examples:
• Vector Instruments
• NRG Systems• NRG Systems
• Inspeed Vortex
• Logic Energy
Anemometer chosen
Maplin (UK) Code N82NF
• Very low cost (£2.50!)
• Pulse output (reed switch)
• Probably not very robust
• Output frequency to wind
speed is not accurately
known
Logging Data
Need to record the frequency from the
anemometer.
Record this data for analysis later
Typical data recording would be:Typical data recording would be:
• Recorded often (every second)
• Averaged slightly (10 minute)
• Stored with a time-stamp (time/date)
Available Data Loggers
Number of data loggers available.
Examples:
• Inspeed Vortex – uses a bicycle computer to
record average wind speed.record average wind speed.
• Logic Energy – nice range of low-cost data
loggers for wind resource assessment
Resource Monitor ProjectNothing available fitted with the design
objectives:
• Open-Source unit
• Fully configurable
• Code can be changed as required• Code can be changed as required
• Different anemometers can be used
• DIY/Local construction and repair
• Low cost
So, lets build our own....
Arduino - IntroductionArduino is an open-source environment for
programming specific microcontrollers.
www.arduino.cc
Uses ATMEL microcontrollers
Using the UNO with the ATMEGA328Using the UNO with the ATMEGA328
Low cost (Arduino units £20, Programmed Ics£5)
Huge user base – lots of libraries available
Shared knowledge
Arduino - Hardware
• Small board
– (55mm x 100mm)
• Uses add-on ‘shields’ for
additional circuitryadditional circuitry
• Programmed via USB
connction
Arduino -Software
• Open Source
• Free download
• Uses c/c++ language
• Lots of examples• Lots of examples
• Large user base
• Lots of libraries
available
Additional Circuitry
• The Arduino has 13 digital input/output pins
and 6 analogue input pins.
• Need to add additional components to:
– Record correct time– Record correct time
– Store data
– Read anemometer
– Read wind vane
Timestamp - Real Time Clock
Need to add a timestamp to the data recorded.
This is done using a Real Time Clock.
I use the PCF6593.
Others available.Others available.
Needs battery back-up.
Needs calibration for accurate time (can have <1
second in 1 year accuracy, if adjusted).
Memory - SD CardNeed low-cost, readily available, large size
storage.
Using standard SD cards
Need level converter and library to put data onto the card from the microcontrolleronto the card from the microcontroller
Problems with data cycling – use large card and average the data
At 1min data recording 2GB card stores approx 4 to 5 years data
Data Format
• Data is stored in .csv (comma separated
variable) file
• Should be ‘human readable’
DataDuino
Already designed a data logging unit based on
Arduino with RTC and SD card unit.
Used this for based of wind datalogger system
DataDuino
• Has 6 digital I/O and 4 Analogue Inputs
– Others used by SD and RTC
• DataDuino does NOT include USB-Serial
converter converter
– Keeps cost low
– An FTDI programming cable is required, but one
will work for many units
Logger ShieldNeeded to have a terminal block input for the
anemometers
Small amount of additional circuitry required
Designed a small additional ‘shield’ to add to
DataDuinoDataDuino
Prototype Units
6 x units Installed in a number of different
locations.
Need long-term testing
Wind VaneAlso wanted to include wind direction
Easy to produce a wind rose from the data
Output is an analogue signal which gives 8
directions
Also available as unit from Maplin (£9.99)
Power Supply
• Arduino code has been written for very low power.
• Batteries
– 3 x D cells should last
6 months
• Solar
– Solar PV module and
regulator can be used.
– Allows long-term monitoring.
Experimental Set-up
Instrument Installation
Testing• Experimental set-up installed since Feb 2014.
• Batteries still OK and taking data.
• Data not yet properly analysed.
• Installed (via Jon Sumanik-Leary) 5 (?) systems • Installed (via Jon Sumanik-Leary) 5 (?) systems in South America (Sept/Oct 2014).
• Some built as DIY workshop with technical school.
• Awaiting feedback and data.
Testing
• Others (Tom Dixon) have taken the DataDuino
base and added power monitoring (Current
and Voltage)
• Also added upload via Raspberry Pi and • Also added upload via Raspberry Pi and
internet connection
• Used the Open Energy Monitor project for
data
• Awaiting on write up of that project.
To Do
• Calibrate anemometer – need wind tunnel
access
• Improve Arduino code – better libraries
• Write program to read SD card data and draw • Write program to read SD card data and draw
graphs
• Install and test in more locations and under
different environmental conditions
• Feedback on usability
Achieved
To Do
• More data logging options (USB drives)
• Complete solar PV power design
• Online data options (via Wifi, Ethernet, GPRS)
• Local displays (LCD monitor/graph)• Local displays (LCD monitor/graph)
DIY Anemometer/Vane
Looking at DIY designs for measuring wind
speed.
This may not be economic, but better for
repairs/DIY constructionrepairs/DIY construction
Installations and Testing
• Real-world testing required
Looking for people who are installing small wind
turbines to use this equipment
• Approximate cost £50 at present (DIY kit)
• Build your own
All feedback is welcome
More Information
Whole project is written up here:
http://tinyurl.com/nmno5wp
Follow progress here: Follow progress here:
http://www.re-innovation.co.uk/
