Avent Lidar Technology, a joint venture between Renewable NRG Systems and Leosphere, reports that Boston-based developer First Wind has purchased a Wind Iris LIDAR to optimize the performance of its wind turbines.
According to Avent, the decision resulted from a successful field trial that used data from the nacelle-mounted LIDAR to correct yaw error and increase total energy production. First Wind wanted to improve the yaw alignment of an underperforming wind turbine and decided to test a Wind Iris on the machine, Avent adds.
The Wind Iris collected wind speed and direction data ahead of the turbine for 30 days. Analysis showed an average yaw error of seven degrees, and a correction factor was then applied to the yaw measurement.
"By detecting and accurately quantifying the yaw misalignment, we were able to correct the error and gain significant [annual energy production] improvement," explains Cegeon Chan, wind resource manager at First Wind. "Based on this evaluation, we decided to purchase a Wind Iris to optimize more turbines in our fleet."
