Global: Testing of metocean buoys for wind data successfully completed

The results of the fourth test of a floating measuring platform for capturing wind data in an offshore wind farm are now available. Like the other three buoy models tested so far, the metocean buoy of EOLOS, a Spanish start-up, has fulfilled the availability and measuring accuracy requirements specified by the Carbon Trust as conditions for the stage of pre-commercial maturity. RWE Innogy has thus successfully completed its research series for testing floating measuring platforms as a cost-efficient alternative to conventional, fixed met masts.

Part of the world’s largest research programme for floating LiDAR

The tests have delivered results for the world’s largest research programme for testing innovative measuring platforms which had been launched by the Offshore Wind Accelerator, a joint research initiative of the Carbon Trust and major offshore wind farm operators. The project was co-funded by FLOW (Far and Large Offshore Wind), a research and development programme sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs.

RWE offers testing possibilities to innovative manufacturers

All in all, RWE Innogy has tested four different metocean buoys from different manufacturers since 2012. Two each were tested in the Netherlands and in RWE Innogy’s offshore wind farm, Gwynt y Môr, which is located off the Welsh coast. "With our initiative, we have not only made significant findings for cost cutting in the offshore wind area, but have also given a small innovative start-up, such as EOLOS, the possibility to test their technology under real conditions", explained Niels Bijkersma, Project Manager at RWE Innogy.

Buoy testing delivers good results

The last test buoy from EOLOS was installed in spring 2015 near the fixed met mast operated by RWE Innogy off the coast of IJmuiden. Equipped with laser-based technology, the so-called LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system, the buoy recorded wind velocities and directions over a period of six months. The independent Dutch institute ECN analysed and evaluated the data and compared them to those delivered by the fixed met mast. “Having successfully undergone an OWA Validation Campaign, EOLOS FLS200 is now a commercially available product. We have proven its high performance and accuracy and are now ready to offer a validated, cost-effective, reliable and accurate solution to the current needs of the offshore wind market” – said Rajai Aghabi, CEO of EOLOS Floating Lidar Solutions. In 2015, EOLOS won the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) Innovators Award 2015. (see also EOLOS press release)

Alternative measuring method could contribute to cost cutting

Wind, waves and currents have a profound impact on the construction, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms and have so far been captured using fixed met masts. With its research project, RWE Innogy aims to contribute to finding a cost-efficient offshore measuring solution as an alternative for expensive, fixed met masts. Such a buoy costs only around 10 to 20 percent of a conventional met mast. Research projects that aim to reduce the cost of offshore wind farms have been a main focus of RWE Innogy's R&D activities. Overall, the company invests a total of around € 4.5 million every year in research projects that contribute to building and operating renewables-based plants with greater efficiency.