Cost-efficient lidar for pitch control
Our objective is to demonstrate an efficient, rugged, low-cost lidar for wind turbine blade pitch control. The new sensor will monitor the wind in front of the turbine using 4 lines-of-sight. This will provide not only wind speed and direction data at hub height but also vertical wind shear information for pitch control, thus reducing turbine load.
OBJECTIVE
Windar Photonics A/S is today successfully marketing a very cost competitive Wind*Eye sensor primarily used for Wind Turbine Yaw Control. Today the revenue stream is primarily generated from the retrofit segment, where the Wind*Eye sensor can relatively easily be installed and integrated on existing turbines for optimized dynamic yaw control without any change in the turbine control systems.
The objective of the new project is to develop the Wind*Eye technology by increasing the number of measuring points whereby the sensor data can be used for an efficient Blade Pitch Control as well. By doing this, the full effect in respect of load reductions on turbines can be even further improved compared to the current two beam system.
ACTIVITIES
We will use two units of the Windar Photonics A/S Wind*Eye sensors to measure the wind in 4 lines-of- sight. We will test novel beam-steering methods to achieve the 4 line-of-sight functionality in a single lidar system. Furthermore, we will address the issue of cost, ruggedness and compactness using either fiber optics and/or miniaturized optical components. The new lidar prototypes will be tested internally at DTU Wind Energy test facility and externally by a potential end-user.Key figures
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| WINDAR PHOTONICS A/S | 3,87 mio. DKK | 3,87 mio. DKK |
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 3,23 mio. DKK | 0,36 mio. DKK |
| Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) | 1,50 mio. DKK | 0,17 mio. DKK |