How do you use remote sensing to measure wind resources?

Yes have been going through few of the comments and it is really great to understand the expert views however The Remote sensing involves collecting information about an object or phenomenon without physically touching it. In wind resource assessment, various technologies emit or receive electromagnetic waves or sound waves to measure wind speed, direction, and turbulence at different heights. Overall, remote sensing is a powerful tool for measuring wind resources, offering valuable insights for wind farm development and operation. By understanding its capabilities and limitations, wind energy professionals can leverage this technology to make informed decisions and optimize their projects.

Fun fact: Sodars operate by emitting sound pulses and analyzing the returning signals to determine wind characteristics. If there are loud background noises, such as cricket chirps, it might interfere with the sodar signals. So, it's generally preferable to deploy sodar systems in environments with minimal background noise.

Entre algunas de las más utilizadas en teledetección están: Lindar Sodar Anemometría por satélite Maestros meteorológicos con sensores Todas ellas nos brindan información del comportamiento de los vientos para estudios de factibilidad o viabilidad del proyecto de parques eólicos; adicionalmente nos dan información del comportamiento de estos. Complementar la fortaleza de cada metodología y los datos históricos del comportamiento nos permitirá tener mayor efectividad a nuestros proyectos. A futuro se desarrollarán turbinas inteligentes y de geometrías variables.

Remote sensing is employed in wind resource assessment by utilizing technologies such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and satellite imagery. LIDAR systems mounted on ground-based or offshore platforms measure wind speed and direction at various altitudes, providing accurate data for wind resource mapping. Satellite-based remote sensing involves the use of satellites equipped with sensors to collect data on wind patterns, terrain characteristics, and atmospheric conditions. These technologies enable the creation of comprehensive wind resource maps, aiding in the selection of optimal locations for wind energy projects and facilitating efficient energy production.

My recommendation is the use of a LIDAR as it tends to perform better when compared to a SODAR. This is attributed to LIDAR's light emissions, which travel at very high speeds and are less susceptible to external environmental influences. In contrast, SODAR's sound emissions can be distorted by certain types of forest or trees. Additionally, SODAR's wind speed measurements rely on precise temperature measurements, which can be a limiting factor in its accuracy.

First, it was cup anemometers, then came sonic anemometers. Now, the new kid in the block are lidars. They are even better to maintain than sodars. A lidar could measure wind speed and wind direction accurately up to 400m (even more depending on manufacturer). It is easier to install and very mobile compared to traditional met masts. More and more developers are coming forward to employ lidars in their measurement campaign and I am all for it

Unleash the future of wind analysis with cutting-edge remote sensing! Lidar & Sodar tech climb beyond conventional ground bounds, delivering a multidimensional wind profile where it impacts turbines the most. Skip the risk and cost of towering masts; these agile sensors offer a panoramic, high-altitude wind perspective, with precision that revolutionizes site selection and forecasting. It's a smarter, safer, and more cost-effective pathway to harnessing the wind's full potential. Join the aerial intelligence revolution in wind energy!

Remote sensing is revolutionizing wind energy, but it sails with challenges. Unpredictable climates with fog or rain can cloud data clarity. These high-tech sentinels demand regular calibration against ground truth for unerring precision. Expense and sophistication aren't just footnotes—they are the main plot, as mastery over these systems is pivotal. Regulations loom too, a bureaucratic maze navigating airwave use. And while remote sensors grasp the broader wind canvas, micro-environments stay elusive, their secrets crucial to turbine longevity. Innovators, your quest awaits: refine accuracy, reduce complexity, and decode local whispers to master wind's might.

The challenges of dispersion, size, and context pose significant hurdles for this measurement system. Dispersion necessitates multiple centralized points due to extensive areas with no cellular coverage. Size refers to the large amount of real-time data generated by sensors, resulting in gigabytes of data daily. Context requires integrating data from all measurement points to derive valuable insights. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for the effectiveness and efficiency of the system.

As someone who has installed RS devices for measurement campaigns, one of the main challenge would be powering them. Usually some PV modules are employed but they are depended on sun which might not be shining all the time. Usually, multiple power sources are accompanied like fuel cells, batteries etc. which are out in the elements with the RS device. So regular look out is necessary for smooth operation of the measurement.

In this case there are some ways to obtain wind data. Data from reanalysis of meteorological models, such as NCEP or ECMWF, can be used. And doing an analysis of 30 years, this being the climate analysis of the region. Or using real data from weather stations close to the region. And if it's at sea, we can obtain this information through buoys and/or Lidar. And analyzes can be carried out by crossing real data with model data, as a comparison.

It is very helpful to consider IIoT gateways with an edge computing approach, which help process large volumes of data to convert them into light information that is easy to transport, and also help guarantee completeness and traceability in time stamps. A persistence strategy at the origin is of great help to avoid ruining months of measurement due to a communication failure.

Lidar(light wave based) and Sodar (sound wave based) technologies are being used for effective and large height measurements. Lidar and Sodar are comes with nacelle mouting and ground mounting based so based on the requirements respective model can be selected. In traditional way a met mast being installed in the wind power plants to capture wind speed, wind direction, temp, humidity, pressure at various heights.

It is always worth it to employ RS measurement campaigns over the traditional met masts. The main hiccup would be the costs associated with it, which could go down in the future as more and more companies and banks warm up to this process.