Side-scan Doppler lidar for offshore wind energy applications

Abstract

A field demonstration was done from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to show the use of high-energy (250-mJ) eyesafe Doppler lidar for measurements of offshore wind. The lidar is located onshore and pointed near-horizontally to reach a target area many kilometers away. In sample measurements, the lidar scan's hypothetical turbine is located 6 km away. For one beam elevation of interest, the horizontal wind vector is measured by scanning the beam in azimuth. The elevation can then be changed to profile the wind at many altitudes. An example measurement is shown in which wind vector is determined at six altitudes covering the height of a supposed turbine and above. In addition to the wind vector, wind shear is measured across a turbine blade span width. Over a two-week period in October 2011, range capability was found to vary from 4.5 to 17 km depending on weather and aerosol backscatter conditions. A comparison was made with an anemometer to validate the lidar's measurements. (c) 2012 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.JRS.6.063562]