Manassas, Va.-based Catch the Wind Ltd. (CTW) will supply eight test units of its Vindicator laser wind sensor (LWS) to Canadian Hydro Developers as part of a new trial agreement.
‘Working with Canadian Hydro Developers will allow us to collect and analyze wind data from different locations of a wind farm simultaneously and illustrate how wind speed and direction is constantly shifting, even in relatively small areas,’ says Phil Rogers, president and CEO of CTW.
The trial program is designed to test the forward wind measurement and turbine control capabilities of the Vindicator LWS for proper alignment of a turbine against oncoming wind in order to reduce equipment stress and increase energy output.
The Vindicator LWS test units will be installed and integrated on eight of Canadian Hydro Developers' total of 15 turbines located at the Cowley North ecoPower Centre in Pincher Creek, Alberta, for a direct, side-by-side comparison with turbines not equipped with laser wind sensors. Each of Cowley North's Nordex N60 1.3 MW wind turbines is currently out of warranty.
Phased delivery of the Vindicator LWS test units is expected to begin by Sept. 30, and end by Dec. 31. The trial program is expected to last up to six months, effective with the final delivery and installation of the Vindicator LWS test units.
SOURCE: Catch the Wind Ltd.
