Provider of energy data and intelligence TGS has started a multi-client wind measurement campaign using two LiDAR buoys off Germany in the North Sea.
The buoys are equipped with a multitude of sensors, allowing detailed calculations of wind, metocean and environmental data.
The collected information is streamed to shore and used to enhance decision-making to support several current and future wind lease rounds in the German Bight.
The TGS multi-client approach, where multiple customers can subscribe to the same floating LiDAR data, significantly advantages offshore wind developers by reducing development costs and timelines and providing a unique, early opportunity to minimise uncertainty in future energy generation.
Similar programmes have already been deployed across the East Coast of America, where five buoys are currently collecting data, and offshore Norway, where data availability has averaged 96% at 160 m measurement height throughout the deployment.
TGS chief executive Kristian Johansen said: “TGS is committed to supporting the growth of global offshore wind energy with data and insights.
“Early access to essential wind and metocean data significantly mitigates investment risks, empowers informed decisions, and ensures smooth project implementation across the wind development lifecycle.
“With this deployment, we can proudly boast eight offshore LiDAR campaigns concurrently collecting critical wind data worldwide, and more deployments are likely to follow as new areas open up globally.”
The buoys, supplied by Green Rebel, will deliver a comprehensive wind data suite over a 24-month measurement campaign.
In addition to wind speed measurements, the data package includes 12 months of critical metocean data, such as significant wave heights and ocean current profiles, acquired via Directional Waverider buoys and seabed-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers.
All projects are supported by offshore wind industry funding.