Helimax has completed the installation of a test bench for the observation and measurement of icing and freezing rain phenomena at the 110 MW Baie-des-Sables wind farm in Quebec's Gaspe Peninsula. The project was implemented in partnership with Cartier Energie Eolienne and the Ecole de Technologie Superieure.
Installed on a meteorological tower in proximity to one of Baie-des-Sables's 73 GE 1.5sle turbines, the test bench is part of the follow-up and optimization program for the wind farm's performance, according to Helimax.
The wind farm's output is continuously monitored using a numeric model developed by Helimax's meteorologists and engineers. The data collected by this new installation will be entered into this model in order to better monitor wind farm operational conditions.
The test bench consists of several classic and heated anemometers and wind vanes as well as temperature, pressure and relative humidity sensors. It also includes more specialized sensors to detect and measure ice accumulation, precipitation and solar radiation, as well as an ultra-sonic 2D anemometer. Lastly, the test bench includes a video camera that allows any ice formation on the equipment to be monitored.
