Nass&Wind Offshore, one of the leading French developers of offshore wind projects, will shortly install a wind LIDAR at the top of the Grand Léjon lighthouse, located in the bay of Saint-Brieuc off the coast of northern Brittany (France).
This new generation device based on Light Detection and Ranging technique relies on the measurement of Doppler shifted laser light backscattered by particles in the atmosphere. It measures the absolute speed of wind and turbulences through laser pulses in all directions up to an altitude of 200 meters – i.e. higher than nacelle and blades of offshore wind turbines. The quality of the performed measurements will enable a very accurate estimation of the power production potential of the offshore wind project under development in Saint-Brieuc bay. A similar device was installed a few weeks ago close to the site of the offshore wind project developed by Nass&Wind Offshore off the coast of Pointe du Croisic (Guérande Bank project).
Collecting very precise data on wind gives Nass&Wind Offshore a competitive edge for the upcoming French tender for the construction and operation of offshore wind farms off the French coast. This is a trump card of much interest for the industrial and financial partners the company is in negotiations with for a common bid.
The measuring instrument was supplied by Leosphère (Orsay). Its supporting system was designed by Sobec (Brest). It will be installed by Iroise Mer (Plougonvelin) and a team from Nass&Wind Offshore, within the next three weeks depending on weather conditions. Installation will take three days.
As the Grand Léjon lighthouse is not connected to the grid, the LIDAR will be powered by four solar panels combined with a fuel cell, which will provide backup in case there is a lack of sunshine. This innovative configuration will be implemented for the first time. Installation of this type of device requires an investment of 200.000 Euros.
[mappress]
Source: nass-et-wind, October 15, 2010