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this new release supports the reading of an increased number of file formats and is compatible with most of the world’s standard map formats. Support for international standards has been

maintained with the latest IEC calculation for estimates of design equivalent turbulence – an important tool when selecting turbines for a site. GH WindFarmer is developed by the world’s

largest renewable energy consultancy, Garrad Hassan, and professionals around the world rely on it to design both onshore and offshore wind farms of all sizes. Tis powerful soſtware tool integrates all aspects of wind farm energy and environmental assessments with wind farm layout design and data handling.

Navigation

New Anschütz

autopilot series

Germany-based navigation company Raytheon Anschütz has announced the upcoming release of its NautoPilot 5000 adaptive autopilot series. Te new series is the successor to the company’s NP 2000 autopilot series. The NP 5000 is based on the same Anschütz

steering algorithms, but is enhanced to include highly advanced functions for economic and precise navigation such as an integrated steering performance display and a new course control operation mode. The new autopilot’s large graphical display

offers six different day and night modes within an intuitive touch screen. Clearly arranged functions are accessible via push buttons or the touch screen to ensure operation is kept as simple as possible. Te display features an integrated heading and

rudder plotter, which provides indication of heading changes and all used rudder angles. Tis feature instantaneously indicates the steering performance of the autopilot resulting from changes to parameter settings such as rudder, counter rudder and yawing. Te operator benefits from simple adjustments of the autopilot’s settings to gain optimised steering performance, which results in minimal rudder action and thus reduced fuel consumption. The autopilot’s Eco-Mode also contributes to

economic navigation and lower fuel consumption. Te mode provides automatic adaptation to current sea-states and weather. Periodical yawing movements which can be caused by roll and pitch will normally result in rudder actions with high amplitudes. As frequent rudder actions will not compensate the heading deviation due to environmental conditions, the autopilot reduces its sensitivity to such

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The NautoPilot 5000 autopilot series from Raytheon Anschütz (Credit: Raytheon Anschütz).

movements. Te autopilot continuously adapts to current environmental conditions without a manual change of autopilot parameters. Subsequently, less rudder action is required, which leads to lower levels of speed reduction and thus less fuel consumption. Te NP 5000 autopilot series has three modes

of operation. Along with Heading Control, the new autopilot maintains the Track Control mode, allowing a vessel to steer automatically along a pre-planned route. Track Control is executed with Category C accuracy, which requires environmental conditions such as wind and driſt to be compensated during track course changes. A new feature in the NP 5000 is Course Control. When steering in this mode, the autopilot compensates for drift automatically and keeps the vessel on the defined course over ground. Compared with the common Heading Control mode, this leads to a more precise course keeping capability and increased safety when steering the vessel. Te NP 5000 autopilot series is available with an

integrated acceleration monitor, which provides a warning if a pre-defined cross acceleration limit is exceeded. Tis helps to avoid damage or accident due to high acceleration stresses that might occur for example during a heading change at high speed. Te NautoPilot 5000 is available in several different

versions. It can be installed as a stand-alone solution or in combination with other bridge navigation systems. Tis facilitates additional benefits such as track control, conning integration of the autopilot performance data or the display of a “curved heading line” on ECDIS screen. NP 5000 will be available for installations in the third quarter of 2010.

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