First LiDAR wind buoys in China

Offshore Wind Energy

20.07.2017

The Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoy will measure wind conditions in Chinese waters for the first time. (Photo: Fraunhofer IWES)

Chinese system integrator Titan Technologies Corporation has ordered two Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR measuring buoys for the surveying of the Zhangpu and Changle offshore wind farms planned for off the coast of China's Fujian province.

This will be the first time a floating LiDAR system will be used for offshore wind measurements in China. The buoys will be used to precisely measure the wind conditions in the designated locations so as to allow precise calculation of the wind farm’s electricity yield. The projected wind farms are owned by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).

Many business hubs are located close to the coast in China: This, coupled with the state’s expansion targets, is stimulating the constant growth of the offshore wind energy sector in China. CTG received the contract to build two wind farms with a capacity of 2,8 GW altogether and wants to obtain precise measurements of the conditions on-site. For an area of 600 MW in later deployment, the Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoy technology will be used. Titan Technologies Corporation has been engaged by CTG to perform the measurements. The company will also be completing the installation work, servicing, and data evaluation.

“We have been working with Fraunhofer for years and appreciate their proven, highly deployable solutions for complex operational conditions. Paving the way for CTG’s vision of reliable offshore wind energy for China is an exciting and honorable assignment to which we contribute years of wind energy experience”, said John Feng, Chairman of Titan Technologies Corporation.

By providing comprehensive feedback on the buoy’s performance under the specific operation conditions found in China, Titan contributes to Fraunhofer’s sound understanding of the requirements of varying environmental loads, e.g. typhoons. Furthermore, as an IWES partner, Titan provides Chinese companies information on technological solutions, services and possible application.

“We welcome the order from Titan Technologies Corp. and believe that CTG’s decision to use two Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoys could set an example in China”, said Bernhard Lange, Head of Wind Farm Planning and Operation at Fraunhofer IWES.

The Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoy has already been used multiple times for offshore measuring; most recently off the Scottish coast for the projected Firth of Forth wind farm. It measures wind speed up to 200 m above the surface of the water.

Fraunhofer IWES / Silke Funke

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