On behalf of Mainstream Renewable Power, DNV GL (formerly GL Garrad Hassan & DNV KEMA) has successfully completed an independent validation assessment of the FLiDAR offshore wind measurement device. Based on the results [1], FLiDAR’s floating LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) device has now formally reached Stage 2 on the Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Accelerator Roadmap for commercial acceptance[2].
Floating LiDAR technology uses buoy-mounted laser-anemometry to measure wind speeds, helping to determine the economic and technical feasibility of an offshore wind development. It offers an alternative to conventional meteorological masts which can be expensive and difficult to install offshore.
The 3 month validation received part funding from the Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme and was carried out as part of Mainstream’s Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind campaign. The FLiDAR was validated against the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult meteorological mast off the coast of Blyth, UK, utilising wind measurements at 104 m above sea level.
This latest independent validation of the floating LiDAR offshore wind measurement device complements a previous Carbon Trust validation undertaken in the Irish Sea resulting in two successful three month validations of the FLiDAR device against independent offshore met masts.
A position statement including a summary of the validation results has been published here.
We are delighted to have reached Stage 2, confirming FLiDAR’s position as the world’s leading floating LiDAR supplier. This milestone will significantly increase the value of the data we are delivering to the offshore wind industry and further reduce the cost of offshore wind resource assessments.
- Bruce Douglas,The General Manager of FLiDAR
New technology such as floating LiDAR needs to be brought to market in a controlled fashion to ensure risks and performance are understood by all parties. We were delighted to work with Mainstream and the Carbon Trust to independently assess the FLiDAR trials against a robust, yet practical, set of acceptance criteria.
- Simon Cox, Principal Engineer at DNV GL
We believe floating LIDAR technology has the potential to replace meteorological met masts for the measurement of primary wind resource data – wind speed and wind direction, for a fraction of the cost, however the technology needs to be proven. The OWA is consequently supporting a programme of floating LIDAR trials involving a number of devices at various offshore sites to progress the technology in line with the OWA roadmap for commercial acceptance, published at the beginning of this year. We are delighted to confirm that FLIDAR has successfully reached stage II which is an important milestone in this process.
- Megan Smith, Associate, Innovation at the Carbon Trust
[1] DNV GL Validation of the FLiDAR floating LiDAR offshore wind measurements device (PDF)
[2] OWA roadmap for commercial acceptance of floating LIDAR technologies v1 (PDF)
For further information please contact the Carbon Trust press office on 020 7170 7050 or email press@carbontrust.com.
About the Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is an independent company with a mission to accelerate the move to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. The Carbon Trust:
- advises businesses, governments and the public sector on opportunities in a sustainable, low-carbon world;
- measures and certifies the environmental footprint of organisations, products and services;
- helps develop and deploy low-carbon technologies and solutions, from energy efficiency to renewable power
