Masterclass: Super-power wind turbines and farms with lidar, sensors and weather data

Optimize performance at every stage with permanent wind lidar

Your webinar questions answered

Our recent Wind Operations related webinars highlighted how weather and environmental data can be utilized in different parts of the wind farm lifecycle. Read on for answers to some of the audience questions posted during the webinar, along with the most common answers we’ve received from customers over the last few months.

Question: We would like to know more about lidar turbulence intensity data especially for wind turbine site suitability. Is there any methodology for processing this data so that it can be reliable for energy production modeling studies and wind turbine site suitability?

Response: Yes, various methodology and articles have been published on this topic – see the links below. Lidar performance and robustness have to be assessed using various datasets. Post-processing algorithms are under study by our R&D team.

Question: Can the software for instrumentation be integrated into other conditional monitoring software?

Response: Vaisala provides weather sensors and data to wind farm owners, operators, developers and turbine OEMs. These weather sensors and data can be fitted in any diagnostic or monitoring platform thanks to various types of integrations. Depending on the specific projects and needs, we also support installation and services. Read more here.

Question: Weather model forecasts exist. What is the benefit of additional measurement on a wind farm?

Response: Local weather measurement enables validation of the model and parameterizes the weather model configuration to constantly map the weather measurement data. This leads to a more accurate local weather model.

Question: Can additional weather measurement contribute to safety operation?

Response: Wind lidar can detect severe wind events such as gusts or sudden change of wind direction. With a 10km+ measurement range, WindCube Scan lets wind farm operators detect and protect the maintenance teams operating on the farm.

Question: How can lidar support under-performance diagnostic?

Response: At the turbine level, WindCube Nacelle monitors power performance, and can be equipped with an optional PTH sensor for accurate measurement. WindCube Insight Analytics enables sector management and deep analysis (per wind speed bin,…). Detection and correction of yaw misalignment can lead to few percentage points of AEP gain.

With easier ground-based installation and quicker deployment, the WindCube vertical profiling lidar also allows Power Performance Testing.

At the farm level, WindCube Scan covers the entire wind farm, measuring the wake effect. It gives an immediate understanding of the wind speed deficit of any obstacle.