Lighting Up Wind Farms with Lidar

Inch Cape Offshore Limited has successfully deployed a ZephIR 300 lidar, from Zephir Lidar, on the historic Bell Rock lighthouse, 17km off the Angus coast.  ZephIR 300 has been mounted on a platform on the north east of the lighthouse using a specially designed support frame measuring wind direction and wind velocity and will augment wind measurements from onshore sources and from a dedicated offshore met mast that is expected to be installed in October 2014. The ZephIR wind data provides a real opportunity to enhance the energy assessment and revenue forecasting, which is an essential part of design refinement and the overall business case for the project.

Stephen Kerr, Inch Cape Project Director said: “We are delighted that the ZephIR 300 lidar has been installed safely, on time, and is performing well. Wind data collected from this location will greatly enhance our understanding of the conditions offshore. We have worked closely with the ZephIR team and the Northern Lighthouse Board throughout the design and deployment on this iconic lighthouse and thank all parties for their ongoing support.”

The installation of the unit was carried out by SgurrEnergy who designed and fabricated a support structure which secures the ZephIR device near the top of the lighthouse. The design and installation have been optimised to reduce time spent offshore and minimise impacts on the lighthouse operation and the structure itself.

Successful installation was completed safely by a range of specialists under the supervision of SgurrEnergy and the Northern Lighthouse Board. 

Robbie Gibson, Director of Measurement at SgurrEnergy said: “This was an exciting and unique offshore installation project where SgurrEnergy worked closely with the Inch Cape team and Northern Lighthouse Board to complete this landmark deployment of ZephIR 300 wind lidar. SgurrEnergy’s offshore engineers and technicians worked together with our parent company, Wood Group, to create a bespoke design and installation for a successful lighthouse deployment of ZephIR on behalf of Inch Cape Offshore.” 

Ian Locker, Managing Director: “It is fantastic to see such a landmark project delivering the installation of the original lidar technology, ZephIR 300, with the support and backing of SgurrEnergy, for developer Inch Cape Offshore in this exciting Inch Cape Wind Farm project. Offshore, ZephIR is the first choice of lidar with its unique low 10 metre measurements essential when deployed on taller structures such as this lighthouse. Further, with no need for annual calibration and an extensive service period ZephIR makes perfect sense where lidars need to be left installed for long periods of time in applications such as offshore, mounted on turbines, and for long-term Energy Assessment campaigns onshore.”