INNOVATION & NEW TECHNOLOGY FEATURE
REDUCING THE RISKS OF WINDPOWER PROSPECTING
Helikites are extremely steady, very tough, all-weather aerostats. Aerodynamic Helikites are actually pushed up by the wind, rather than pushed down. They are excellent at operating at sea and for measuring meteorological data at high altitude, for long periods.
They have successfully operated from anchored barges, survey ships, naval ships, high-speed ribs, and USV’s. Helikites have flown from all types of vessels, above the Arctic Ocean, South Atlantic, Pacific, Caribbean, and many other seas.
Comparisons between Met-Masts Met- Helikite Aerostats
MET-MAST • High installation cost (£5M - £10M). • Unreliable data collection due to mast sway
• Equipment failure due to infrequent maintenance.
• Slow installation creates construction- window risks.
• Immobile site creates risk of incorrect sensor positioning.
• Small number of sites gives high risk of incomplete data.
• Loans for mast construction create interest-rate & repayment risks.
• Health and Safety mast construction risks.
• Health and Safety mast transport risks. • Health and Safety mast maintenance risks
• Damage to maintenance boats accessing masts platform.
• Collision risks to sea traffic • Environmental risks during construction and placement.
HELIKITE • Low installation costs (£0.2M) • Steady, reliable Helikite aerostat platform gives excellent data.
• Easy access to Helikite barge allows frequent maintenance visits.
• Instant installation eliminates construction time risks.
• Helikite can be moved easily to ensure correct placement.
• Fifty Met-Helikites can be sited for one Met-Mast. Much more data.
Worldwide, Helikites have been lifting meteorological equipment for many years. Recent work done has been done by a working group in Germany to compare the results between sensors on Met-Helikites and on adjacent 50 metre tall Met-Masts. The results are favourable and lead to the conclusion that a Met-Helikite is a good substitute for a fixed mast.
MET-HELIKITE DEPLOYED FOR WIND PROSPECTING Met-Helikite can fly steadily in winds from 0 - 50 knots however there will be slight differences in line angle at different wind speeds. In order to keep the height of the Helikite the same, whatever the wind speed, the microprocessor obtains
4M BARGE LONG MET-HELIKITE AT OVER 100M+ ALTITUDE WITH MICROPROCESSOR, RADIO-LINK TO THE BARGE AND SENSORS TO MEASURE:
• Wind speed • Wind direction • Air temperature • Barometric pressure • Altitude (to 1 metre) • Relative Humidity • Dew-Point
Allsopp Helikites Ltd
www.allsopp.co.uk
• Minimal upfront cost greatly reduces repayment and interest risks.
• Met-Helikite construction is all on- shore with no risks.
• Met-Helikites can be easily transported on a boat with negligible risk.
• Met-Helikites can be brought onboard ship for maintenance.
• Maintenance boat cannot be damaged by tiny, soft, Helikite barges.
• Helikite barges have soft surrounds so as not to damage boats.
• No environmental risks with Met- Helikites.
data from the altitude sensor and then commands the winch, via the radio-link, to let out, or take in, flying line. This keeps the Met-Helikite at the same required altitude - with 1 metre tolerance.
Wind-turbines do not operate above 50 knots, so wind speed data is not required for winds over this. If the wind speed goes above 50 knots, then the microprocessor on the Helikite sends a message to the winch on the barge, to command the winch to bring the Helikite down safely onto its Helibase on the barge, to await less powerful winds.
7 FOOT BARGE SPECIFICATIONS AND EQUIPMENT • Multiple anchor chains to sea-bed • Helibase launch pad for Helikite • Remote-control electric winch • Meteorological sensors • Data recording • Battery charged by solar panels • Iridium satellite link.
www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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