The States of Guernsey Renewable Energy Team (RET) is deploying a Zephir LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) unit at Chouet Headland today, August 7.
The LiDAR will be deployed in the compound alongside the existing anemometer, which has been monitoring wind speed since 2012, and allow wind speeds to be measured at a number of heights above the ground, as opposed to the single (10m) height that the existing anemometer measures.
The LiDAR will be on site for 2 years and will be used to remotely monitor at five different heights, 10m – to match the anemometer, 20.5m – the control height from the manufacturer, 54m and 80m – control heights from the supplier and minimum expected height range of potential offshore wind turbines, and 160m – the region of the expected tip height of potential offshore wind turbines.
The unit will be deployed by Exeter University, following a student project to design and build a renewable energy and battery storage power system for the LiDAR, and will be secured via a 2 year rental agreement from NEL (TUV SUD Ltd), a flow measurement specialist.
NEL will also provide technical support for the LiDAR, and through them the manufacturer, Zephir, will continue its support.
A preliminary feasibility study carried out in May by Xodus Group and the States of Guernsey and Guernsey Electricity found that offshore wind technology could be viable in several locations off Guernsey and that there are a range of technically feasible options to develop a 30MW offshore wind project.