The Triton Sonic Wind Profiler has successfully collected nearly 7 million hours of data in 30 countries across the world.
Wind energy developer, Windlab, will begin using the Vaisala Triton Sonic Wind Profiler, a ground-based remote sensing system, to assist with ongoing and critical site selection work in Africa.
The Vaisala Triton can be used either in locations where meteorological masts might be inappropriate or difficult to install, or used in conjunction with these masts to identify site suitability issues and gain a more detailed assessment of a project’s resource potential. Tritons are also able to operate autonomously, powered in most cases by on-board solar panels, enabling them to be used in remote areas with no access to the power grid. These capabilities allow Vaisala to better assist developers and investors in unlocking growth in emerging markets and gain improved perspectives on project risk.
Having previous experience using the Vaisala Triton in its global operations, Windlab understood the strategic advantage of deploying them in a market like South Africa. Several potential sites were initially identified in the region through early stage wind modeling. However, in order to finalize development and investment decisions, it was necessary to characterize the wind profile of these sites in more detail, gather wind measurement data over large distances, and monitor multiple locations simultaneously.
“By placing the Tritons we own in strategic locations at each prospective site, we gained a strong understanding of potential site performance, while eliminating the cost and consenting challenges typically associated with meteorological masts,” says Shane Quinnell, project engineer at Windlab. “As a direct result, and coupled with the fact that we can deploy the equipment in rugged and remote locations, we intend to continue using Vaisala Tritons and technical support in the future.”
Windlab
www.windlab.com
Vaisala
www.vaisala.com
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