WIND MONITORING
FEATURE SPONSOR
MPPT CHARGE CONTROLLERS PROVE THEIR WORTH FOR REMOTE LIDAR POWER SUPPLY
Solarwheel were contracted to build a power supply for a ZephIR Lidar on an offshore platform. The platform is equipped with an array of solar panels and batteries, the condition of which was unknown
voltage and current sensors in the power cabinet. Real-time data and historic records are available remotely via a GPRS modem. Mobile reception is poor at the site, but has proved adequate for data communication via a land based mobile network.
Power consumption of the Lidar was
difficult to predict precisely in advance. It has a cooling fan, anti-condensation heaters, screen wash and wipe and an internal communications system. Ambient conditions therefore significantly affect power consumption. The new system includes continuous monitoring of power use, power production, and battery condition, in conjunction with weather data.
EXCITING CHALLENGE
The project required using the existing solar array to power the Lidar, and the erection of a small wind monitoring mast for correlation. The exciting challenge was to re-use as much as possible of the hardware in situ and pre-fabricate new components to reduce installation time on the platform. All to be delivered to the platform using only small crew transfer vessel equipped with a hand operated lifting davit.
PROJECT DETAIL
The company set out to improve on the power performance of the original PV array and batteries. The existing design used PWM charge regulators, with panels connected in parallel. The panels were re-configured into a number of strings in series, each with its own MPPT charge controller and performance monitoring. The string voltage is sufficient to begin providing charge to the batteries in very low light levels, making a significant improvement in performance over the critical mid-winter period.
REMOTE CONTROL AND DATA MONITORING
Remote control and data monitoring are handled using a Campbell CR3000 data logger. Data are collected from wind sensors on the mast, in conjunction with
PLATFORM
The platform was fitted with two separate battery banks, one at 24 volts and one at 12 volts. A decision was made to make the 24v set the primary power supply, charged by the bulk of the PV panels. The second set is kept in reserve. Switch over is controlled by the data logger, to protect the batteries from over discharge, and alert the operators should the batteries start to lose power.
INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING
Installation and commissioning of the new equipment was achieved in four days on the platform. Weather data from the Lidar has been continuous since the installation. Data from the monitoring mast and power supply are being successfully transferred to shore, after some initial issues with the GPRS connection. Both sets of batteries have remained fully charged over the darkest months of this winter.
Solarwheel Ltd SCAN/CLICK SCAN/CLICK SCAN/CLICK ZephIR 300 installation
Infinis, a leading UK renewable power generator with an installed capacity of 410MW, has deployed wind lidars in place of permanent met masts on operational windfarms. The lidars – ZephIR 300s – have further been integrated into the site SCADA system.
BENEFITS
This seamless SCADA integration has allowed Infinis to access the many benefits of wind lidar – increased measurement height, ease of installation, reduced health & safety risks – directly as part of the site SCADA provided by the wind turbine OEM. In replacing a fixed met mast ZephIR 300 gathers a greater range of relevant wind data for use by Infinis engineers in site performance analysis and production forecasting, providing wind speed and direction readings up to and beyond the height range of a traditional mast.
CAPABILITY
The company can achieve this from ground level with lidar, reducing visual impact while increasing operational safety and efficiency with no need to climb, maintain, inspect or periodically re-instrument an 80m mast over an operating life of 20-25 years.
FIRST INSTALLATION
The first installation of a mast replacement ZephIR 300 occurred earlier this year at the 43MW A’Chruach Windfarm, Scotland where the lidar was fully integrated into the Senvion site SCADA.
Infinis Wind Ltd MORE INFO WEBSITE CONTACT
OPERATIONAL SITE WIND MONITORING WITH LIDAR
44
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
