Catch the Wind Ltd. had undertaken a field trial program for its Vindicator(R) Laser Wind Sensor (LWS) with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). The final results of the trial have been released by Catch the Wind. The results clearly established the efficiency of the Vindicator LWS system. This system detects strong currents of wind and aligns the wind energy system to achieve maximum utilization in such a scenario. The energy output of a turbine fitted with Vindicator was seen to increase by an average of 12.3% due to the alignment.
As per the parameters of the 30-day trial, the turbine was controlled by Vindicator LWS system only for 56% of the time and the increase in energy output achieved pertained to this period. If insufficient measurement data is not taken into account, the system demonstrated an increase of over 18% energy output.
Phil Rogers, CEO and President of Catch the Wind, said that the field trial of the Vindicator LWS system with Nebraska Power demonstrated its capabilities in increasing the output energy of a turbine. He further added that with an increase of 10% energy output per turbine, wind farm operators can generate more than $600,000 for a 2.5 MW turbine in the future at present value; or for a 75 MW wind farm, the operator can generate more than $18 million. He added that the initial investment of operators in the system can be paid pack by the efficiencies within the first 24 to 36 months of its operation.
The detailed results of the field trial including an economic valuation model can found at www.catchthewindinc.com . The company is also continuing to work with Canada’s leading research and testing institute for wind energy systems, the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan), for testing its Vindicator(R) Laser Wind Sensor (LWS) system further. The company has also received positive feedback from another field trial program with Helimax Energy, Inc., a group member of Germanischer Lloyd.