White Papers
Verification of wind energy related measurements
with a SODAR system
Complex terrain and growing wind energy converters (WEC) in wind parks generate increasing interest in determining wind profiles and turbulence besides the general forecast of annual energy production. Increasing hub heights and growing rotor diameters of advanced WEC make SODAR systems a valuable alternative to meteorological towers. SODAR systems provide wind profiles as well as turbulence information over the entire height of large turbines. With SODAR measurements at WEC testing field in Grevenbroich in comparison to sonic and cup anemometer the usability of qualified wind and turbulence data from a SODAR are verfied...More »Wind Energy Application
In the late 1990's, wind turbines with nacelle heights exceeding 60 meters were introduced to the wind energy communicty. Initially, wind prospecting and siting studies continued to use 50-meter wind towers and extrapolate the measurement to the nacelle heights. It was quickly determined that this approach was not sufficient for the placement of these tall turbines. The next approach was to increase the wind tower heights to between 80 meters and 100 meters. In this case the initial financial investment (100 meter towers, installation, etc.), the required FAA permits and tower safety equipment, the increased need for larger land areas coupled with the visibility of these towers in the local community area are reasons to seek alternative measurement methods...More »A Brief Statement of Airport Applications for Doppler SODAR systems
Operating similar to a sonar the Doppler SODAR (Sonic Detection and Ranging) directly measures the atmospheric wind speed and direction at multiple altitudes simultaneously. These systems utilize the Doppler effect imposed on the received acoustic signal echoed by the atmosphere for the wind measurements. The Doppler effect is the common observation that the acoustic signal frequency increases (decreases) for motion toward (away) from a receiver. By applying this principle and considering the geometry of the Doppler SODAR system it becomes a cost effective and easily maintained "invisible tower" for wind measurements. learn more »view sample data »