Apex Wind Energy (Apex) and Second Wind have declared the starting of wind farm optimization (WFO) attempts at the utility scale Midwest wind generation site by utilizing two Triton advanced SoDAR systems provided by Second Wind.
The first of its kind deployment of numerous mobile type ground-based wind measurement units that will allow simultaneous verification of a number of project sub-sectors and to improve the quality of energy estimates before commencing the construction of the wind farm.
The proposed Midwest wind generation site has years of data collected by the deployment of 50 and 60 meter tall wind turbine towers and the data have been utilized for the initial wind energy estimates to design a number of wind power generation layouts. The two Tritons currently utilized at the location will be taken around the various locations at the project site to collect details such as wind speed at hub-height, wind direction (veer) and wind speed (shear). The produced data will allow Apex to estimate and get the best of the wind turbine lay out and cut down the annual power production in the wake of doubtful estimates.
According to David Balfrey, Director of Energy Assessment at Apex Wind, the use of Triton advanced SoDAR systems offers valuable information before the placement of wind turbines and in deciding their configurations, thus enabling to optimize the configuration and design of the wind farm. Also, it enhances the credibility of the project information available for scrutiny by an autonomous engineering group and others.