LiDAR Application for WInd Energy Efficiency

Abstract

ECN with its partners TU DelŌ, Avent LiDAR Technologies and XEMC Darwind executed the four-year TKI Wind op Zee project LAWINE (LiDAR ApplicaƟon for WInd Energy Efficiency). In this project the applica Ɵon of LiDAR technology has been developed and validated so that it can be used to improve the operaƟon of offshore wind farms with the goal to further reduce the cost of offshore wind power plants. The planned deliverables in the project have been met within Ɵme and budget requirements. Gathering a project team that includes a variety of competences has resulted in a fruiƞul cooperaƟon leading to the following interesƟng project results: 1. It has been verified that ground based LiDAR can be applied for wind resource assessments as well as power and loads assessment campaigns. This way wind turbine performance can be verified without the requirement of expensive masts. 2. Power performance assessments can be performed more accurately by using the wind profile measurements of the LiDAR. 3. Wake characterizaƟon by LiDAR measurements has been demonstrated, which will assist the opƟ- mizaƟon of lay-outs of offshore wind farms. 4. In the project it has been demonstrated that nacelle LiDARs are suitable to be used as basis in power performance assessments. 5. It has been demonstrated that LiDAR measurements in combinaƟon with advanced controllers have significant benefits for rotor speed regulaƟon and reducƟon of faƟgue loads.6. It has been demonstrated that LiDARs can determine yaw misalignment accurately, which is an important aspect to implement the ECN wind farm controllers. 7. ECN developed the LiDAR calibraƟon facility where industry can calibrate its LiDARs in a very effecƟve manner. Such uƟlity is crucial for the successful applicaƟon of LiDARs in wind resource assessments and power performance verificaƟon. These results have been disseminated with researchers and industry over various conferences and workshops.