Forewind Deploys ZephIR 300 to Collect Wind Data on Dogger Bank (UK)

A laser wind-profiling instrument to provide measured wind data for the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm development has been deployed by Forewind on a gas platform 125 kilometres from shore.

The ZephIR 300 wind lidar, which will measure wind speeds at heights of up to 200m using an infrared laser, has been installed on the Cavendish offshore gas platform situated around 25 kilometres south of the 8660 km2 Dogger Bank Zone.

Lidar (light detection and ranging) equipment is used extensively for atmospheric research and meteorology.

Platform operator RWE Dea UK installed the lidar last week on behalf of Forewind and will maintain the unit throughout the planned four-year deployment.

The dataset collected will be the first high-quality wind data measurement in close proximity to the Dogger Bank Zone, and will be used alongside wind data collected by the Forewind met masts due to be installed in the zone next year.

Forewind Head of Engineering and Supply Chain, Mark Legerton said that the lidar will give data on the local wind characteristics for use in early site design activities.

“It will also improve the evaluation of the overall project wind resource by enhancing the validation of local wind modelling,” Dr Legerton said.

The cutting-edge ZephIR 300 wind lidar was manufactured and provided by renewable energy consultancy Natural Power, who also supervised the installation and commissioning on the platform.

“The ZephIR 300 was chosen because it is a proven, reliable and safe technology, able to economically provide high quality wind data in an offshore environment,” he added.

“The Dogger Bank project relies on innovative flexible solutions and close cooperation with suppliers. This successful lidar deployment is an example of this – only made possible through Natural Power’s responsiveness and an excellent working partnership with the platform operator RWE Dea UK.”

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Source: Forewind, July 14, 2011;