Wind LiDAR: The Technology to Replace Masts

Wind LiDAR has emerged as the most cost-efficient means to assess the wind resource at current hub heights, and its measurements are recognized by the industry and financing banks for renewables projects. Rented rather than owned, this technology becomes available precisely when the project needs it.

SEVEN supplies a variety of Wind LiDAR according to client needs. In most projects, we recommend one of two proven pulsed Doppler vertical-profiling systems, described below by type and capability.

Rent or Purchase a Wind LiDAR

Purchasing a LiDAR unit can be considered an expensive investment, especially for wind projects that only need measurement for a defined period of time, generally 3 to12-months either for resource assessment or a power performance testing. Renting matches the cost to the actual need and removes the burden of long-term ownership. For developers, consultants, or operators who run repeated campaigns, purchasing the LiDAR is often the better long-term value, and SEVEN supplies both options.

Renting is well suited to a defined measurement period of time as it offers:

• No significant capital outlay
• Equipment availability according to the schedule needed by the project
• No need for permission, foundations and other civil works like in case of met masts
• Quick deployment and redeployment between different sites
• Equipment maintenance by SEVEN
• Bankable and certified data

What the Rental Service Includes

Depending on the offered service, the rental package may cover:

• Power requirement (grid, solar or hybrid power arrangement, based on the site requirement)
• Connectivity and cloud access
• Installation and commissioning services
• Setting of measurement heights according to your rotor/hub dimensions
• Supply of data in industry accepted format
• Remote monitoring, technical and maintenance services during the rental period
• Optional site assessment and reporting support

Available LiDAR Types

SEVEN recommends two vertical-profiling wind LiDARs. These are both pulsed Doppler instruments that will take the place of a high met tower and provide information on wind speeds throughout the full rotor sweep height.

Type A: Pulsed Doppler Vertical Profiler (Reference / Bankable Class)

This is a common type of vertical profiling wind LiDAR with a history of reliable bankable, accepted information for utility-scale wind projects.

Parameter	Specification
Technology	Pulsed Doppler LiDAR (DBS, 5-beam)
Measurement range	40 m to 300 m
Simultaneous heights	Up to 20, measured every second
Wind speed accuracy	0,1 m/s
Data provided	Wind speed, wind direction, turbulence intensity, vertical wind speed, data availability
Compliance	IEC-classified; pre-validated units available
Software	Cloud-based data and fleet-management platform
Best for	Bankable resource assessment, complex terrain, onshore and offshore utility-scale projects

Type B: Pulsed Coherent Doppler Vertical Profiler (Extended Range)

Compact “wind-tower-replacement” vertical profiling system that uses less power and has an extended range of measurement; a strong value option for resource assessment and power-curve work.

Parameter	Specification
Technology	Pulsed coherent Doppler Wind LiDAR
Measurement range	40 m to 350 m
Height gates	Up to 24 selectable gates
Range resolution	± 1 m; second-level data refresh
Wind speed accuracy	≤ 0,1 m/s
Data provided	Instantaneous and time-averaged wind speed/direction, vertical speed, min./max. horizontal wind speed, turbulence intensity, wind shear index, SNR, GNSS position and time, LiDAR status
Compliance	Designed and manufactured to IEC 61400-12-1
Best for	Wind resource surveying, power-curve testing, wind forecasting, complex-terrain shear analysis

Please note that the above-mentioned specifications are indicative. Final specifications are confirmed against the datasheet of the unit supplied for your campaign.

Choosing Between the Two Types of LiDAR

Both types have 0,1 m/s accuracy for measuring the rotor-sweep profile. In a general sense:

• Type A is chosen in situations when an officially certified, completely bankable data set is needed; e.g., project finance, contractual power-performance testing.
• Type B provides a long-range capability up to 350 m and a highly economic package for resource assessment and measurement campaigns.

SEVEN will help you choose the appropriate type depending on the topography, hub height, length of the campaign and reporting needs.

Applicable Standards for Wind LiDARs

Wind LiDAR campaigns performed by SEVEN are according to the internationally acknowledged standards for remote-sensing wind measurement:

• IEC 61400-12-1: power performance measurements of electricity producing wind turbines
• IEC 61400-50-2: using ground-based remote sensing devices (RSD) for wind measurement
• MEASNET: procedures for evaluation of wind measurement
• DNV: practices and guidelines for classification/ validation of LiDARs
• OWA (Offshore Wind Accelerator): offshore & floating LiDAR roadmap

Flexible Rental Terms of LiDAR

The rental can be configured according to the demands of your project rather than the other way around:

• A short-term rental for a test run or single measurement period.
• A long-term rental covering an entire campaign that takes months or even up to a year.
• Both onshore and offshore installations, depending on your needs and with the right power and communication capability.

The specific combination of LiDAR, rental period, power supply, connectivity, and level of support is determined taking into account your application, site conditions and objectives.

Why rent LiDAR through SEVEN?

In the capacity of an expert in meteorological instrumentation, SEVEN provides the same level of professionalism in wind LiDAR as they do in their solar and environmental sensors. Rental with SEVEN comes with the assurance that the instrument is properly calibrated and technical support is available for the duration of the mobilization until data delivery.

SEVEN offer you a tailored wind LiDAR solution, together with a customized quote.

Please get in touch with us for your wind LiDAR rental planning.