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Met Newsletter December 2010 - featuring self-powered sodar and first class wind sensors


Latest meteorology news   METEOROLOGY eNEWSLETTER

 

 

self-powered SODAR 24 self-powered SODAR 24
    

INTRODUCTION   . . . professional measurement made easy


Biral specialise in supplying professional quality meteorological and aerosol instruments for research, industry and wind energy developers.

This enewsletter features the new self-powered SODAR, a wind profiler for boundary layer turbulence and flow studies. Although the article below focuses on using the SODAR for wind energy applications, the same system can be used whenever you need to understand how the wind flows over hills, treetops and other complex terrain where fine scale wind resolution detail is desired.

Thies Clima First Class wiind speed sensor



Also featured are Thies Clima's first class cup and vane wind sensors, which although predominately used for wind energy applications, can also be used wherever accurate wind data is required.
 

 
 


CONTENTS

New self-powered wind profiling system

First Class wind speed and direction sensors

Forthcoming events


all links below open in a new window

  


 




SODAR integrated into trailer This version allows a minimum of 40 days unattended operation

SODAR integrated into trailer
This version allows a minimum of 40 days unattended operation



Stand-alone SODAR and trailer This version allows a minimum of 6 months unattended operation

Stand-alone SODAR and trailer
This version allows a minimum of  6 months unattended operation



A view of the inside of the acoustic antenna

A view of the inside of the acoustic antenna

New self-powered wind profiling system for wind energy applications


Measuring a site’s suitability for wind energy has been limited to measuring wind speed at two heights and hoping there was no strong seasonal or intermittent shear or turbulence structures, OR the use of expensive and cumbersome profiling equipment that required mains power.

This has now changed with the introduction of a trailer SODAR system which is self-powered by new fuel cell technology allowing compact, portable full profiling for remote locations without limitations.


 

            Benefits of this self-powered, trailer SODAR system:

  • completely self powered (runs from solar panels and batteries with fuel cell technology for backup in poor conditions allowing 6 months or more unattended operation)

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  • operational within minutes (no heavy lifting or assembly needed)

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  • no planning permission needed (drive up, level the trailer and press a button)

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  • heated for winter operation (all weather measurements even without external power supply)

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  •  complete vertical wind profiles from 10 m above ground to 200 m with 5 m resolution steps (to see full turbulence structures and shear on potential sites)

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  • multi-frequency operation or single frequency selectable (user adjustable to suit any siting problems)

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  • turn key trailer solution includes weather protected work area

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  • remote access to data over GSM modem, no subscription fees or expensive satellite links needed (you have access to all of the data all of the time and are not tied to an expensive data analysis or subscription service)






For more information please contact either:

Richard McKay (US product manager) : rmckay@biral.com

Rachel Billington (product manager) : rbillington@biral.com
 





Thies Clima First Class wiind speed sensor


   Thies Clima First Class wiind speed sensor


DO YOU NEED PROFESSIONAL WIND MEASUREMENTS?


Do you need accurate and professional wind measurements?

Do you need to measure the power curve output on wind turbines?

Do you need to find the ideal site for wind turbines using MET towers?


With the FIRST CLASS range of wind sensors you can have all of this. These sensors are designed to have a minimal mechanical profile in order to reduce the influence of the sensor on the wind measurements and to ensure that the sensor provides excellent response to small variations in intensity or direction. The design allows for minimal overspeeding and a low starting value.

The FIRST CLASS sensors are DEWI & RISO approved, meet the IEC 61400.121-CD requirements and can be calibrated according to MEASNET.

They are constructed from anodised aluminium and the wind speed sensors have a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic cup star. When smooth running of the
ball bearings in harsh conditions is a must the heated versions will prevent icing.

All these design features make these sensors particularly suitable for the evaluation of wind power site locations and measurement of wind power system capacity.

If you have immediate delivery requirements please contact us as our most popular models are in stock.

www.biral.com/first class

 

 

Forthcoming Events


Visits to USA in February

Richard will be visiting customers in Texas and Oklahoma in February so if you would like him to visit you to discuss your meausurement requirements and get the news on latest developments please email him.

Richard McKay (US product manager) : rmckay@biral.com



Jan 23 - 27, 2011

AMS 2011 (American Meteorological Society annual meeting) - Seattle, USA

BIRAL will be exhibiting on Booth 730 so if you are attending we look forward to seeing you there. 

For more information and links please click AMS 2011
Event Website: www.ametsoc.org/meet



March 14 - 17, 2011

EWEC 2011 (European Wind Energy Conference ) - Brussels, Belgium Event website: www.ewec2011.info
 


March 29 - 31, 2011

TRAFFEX 2011 - Birmingham, UK

Event website:www.traffex.com

Biral will be exhibiting on Stand Z122

 
 
 

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