Mainstream Deploys Floating LiDAR at Neart na Gaoithe OWF Site

Mainstream Renewable Power have kicked off Phase 2 of their floating LiDAR campaign by deploying a floating LiDAR on its 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm.

Technology providers FLiDAR NV (a joint venture between DEME and 3E), deployed the device almost 21km off the Fife coast on April 20th. The technology is designed to capture valuable hub height wind resource data in the harshest conditions and will remain on site for 6-12 months in support of the Neart na Gaoithe project development.

Prior to the Neart na Gaoithe deployment, the FLiDAR device completed its 3 month Phase 1 validation at NAREC’s (National Renewable Energy Centre) Offshore Meteorological (met) Mast located off the coast of Blyth, Northumberland. DNV-GL (legacy GL Garrad Hassan) were appointed to provide independent oversight of the validation and are now producing an independent report on the accuracy and reliability of the device during the Phase 1 met mast comparison.

Mainstream recently secured funding from the Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator programme for the completed Phase 1 validation which represented an excellent example of how a successful joint industry project can be carried out with commitment from all parties.

The FLiDAR consists of state-of-the-art measurement equipment including a buoy adapted Leosphere LiDAR mounted on a standard marine buoy and powered by its own renewable energy system comprising solar photovoltaic and wind power technology.

Successful validation of FLiDAR technology signals a significant shift from the reliance on fixed offshore met masts in assessing the potential wind resource for offshore wind farms.

Press release, April 25, 2014; Image: Flidar