TotalEnergies has commissioned Fraunhofer IWES to carry out lidar-based offshore measurement campaigns in the UK and Japan.
Fraunhofer IWES is gathering the data with Oldbaum Services in the UK.
The campaigns use dual-Doppler scanning lidar technology, where two measuring devices are operated synchronously at different onshore locations.
They are aligned in such a way that the laser beams cross at a point up to 10 km off the coast – at a typical wind turbine hub height – returning, potentially, highly accurate information on wind conditions.
To prove this, the two measurement campaigns are starting to compare the data with offshore met mast measurements in order to evaluate the technology’s performance.
As well as wind speed accuracy, the comparison of the measurement methods could even reveal advantages in the area of turbulence measurement.
Depending on the range capability and mode of operation, lidar technology has the potential to address all wind energy atmospheric measurements applications including wind resource and site conditions.
Crucially, early studies have shown potential for remote sensing to provide reliable turbulence intensity data offshore.
Fraunhofer IWES and Oldbaum within the project commissioned by TotalEnergies aim to gather more data.
“At TotalEnergies, we are pioneering the use of innovative techniques to better the way we measure offshore turbulence intensity.
“This unique collaboration with Fraunhofer IWES and Oldbaum Services, leaders in the field of wind measurements, supports us in demonstrating the value of the dual-scanning lidar technology through this project,” said Julien Haize, project manager at TotalEnergies.
Fraunhofer IWES chief scientist Julia Gottschall, who leads the project, added: “As the first of its kind in the world, the project will examine the measurement capability of four different manufacturers’ long range scanning lidar systems and provide highly valuable insights into the measurement capability and sensitivity of the measurements to different environmental conditions.”
This is achieved by the creation of a novel long range testing facility in Blyth, UK and a parallel test conducted at a shorter-range test facility in Japan.
The parallel nature of the programme expands the range of environmental conditions to which these lidar systems are exposed, giving valuable information on what drives the accuracy of these systems compared to traditional measurement systems such as meteorological masts.
Technical and data support is provided by Oldbaum Services based in Scotland.
“Oldbaum Services are delighted to work with Julia Gottschall and Fraunhofer IWES to deliver this innovative project on behalf of TotalEnergies.
“The offshore wind industry is in need of high-quality datasets that give a complete picture of the energy potential and scanning lidars, especially in dual configuration, have the unique capability to answer this need,” said Andrew Oldroyd, technical director of Oldbaum Services.
The project will be run until June 2025.