Reliable expert reports start with the right measurement approach
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Reliable expert reports start with the right measurement approach
Reliable structural performance and stability reports require a suitable data set. The key is not to take as many measurements as possible, but to tailor the measurements from the outset to the site and the requirements of the subsequent report.
This requires a site-specific measurement plan.
Specifically, this means:
- The appropriate measurement method— mast, LIDAR, SODAR, or a combination thereof—is selected based on the location and the report.
- Collecting the Right Data: Ensuring that the information relevant to future evaluation is gathered.
- Avoid remeasurements: Reduce additional effort and, above all, time lost as the project progresses.
When developing measurement concepts, Energiewerkstatt draws on approximately 40 years of experience with wind energy projects and insights gained from more than 500 wind measurements worldwide.
What will the future expert reports require?
The data that must be collected also depends on how it will be used later. Yield estimates and structural stability assessments have different requirements for the data set.
Standards and technical specifications provide the technical framework. However, it is crucial to apply these requirements to the specific project using experience and sound judgment.
For funded projects, for example, TR 6 is the governing standard for yield assessments. Minimizing calculation uncertainty can help reduce financing costs.
For self-financed projects , technically justified deviations from TR 6 may be permitted, depending on the project area, location, and topography . It is crucial that these deviations be supported by clear, verifiable justification and that a reliable assessment be ensured.
Experience helps in correctly assessing such margins of error and planning the measurement effort in such a way that costs and benefits are in a reasonable balance.
Objective: To make the most reliable forecast possible of the expected energy yield
Crucial: appropriate wind data and the lowest possible calculation uncertainty
Objective: To assess the suitability of a wind turbine for the site and its intended operational life
Critical: site-specific parameters such as wind profile, turbulence intensity, and extreme wind events
Which measurement is really necessary?
Not every location requires the same level of measurement effort. In relatively simple, flat terrain, a mast measurement or a LIDAR measurement may be sufficient under certain circumstances. In more complex topography, a combination of mast, LIDAR, or SODAR measurements may be advisable or necessary.
The measurement concept therefore addresses key questions before the measurement begins:
- Which measurement methods are suitable for this location?
- How long should the measurement last?
- What requirements must the measurement data meet for the subsequent report?
- Which additional measurement efforts actually provide significant added value?
More measurement effort does not automatically mean a better data set. The key question is whether additional information actually improves the subsequent evaluation and whether the benefits of this additional insight are proportionate to the effort involved.
The long-standing connection between practical project work and applied research helps Energiewerkstatt determine which measurements are actually necessary and when additional measurement efforts no longer provide corresponding added value.
Through their collaboration with equipment manufacturers, the experts at Energiewerkstatt also know what site information is needed to assess structural stability. They can take these requirements into account when planning measurements.
Why Early Planning Can Prevent Problems Later On
If important data is missing during the subsequent analysis or preparation of the expert report, an additional measurement may be necessary. This not only results in additional costs but can also significantly delay the further progress of the project.
It becomes particularly problematic when a measurement campaign has already been completed. If, for example, the measurement mast has already been dismantled and it only becomes apparent afterward that a LIDAR measurement would also have been necessary, valuable time is lost. With early measurement planning, both measurements could have been carried out simultaneously.
If no suitable heating system is included in the measurement plan for a site prone to icing, important measurement data may be lost during the winter. Such site conditions should therefore be taken into account when developing the measurement plan.
Measurements and Expert Reports from a Single Source
One of the strengths of the Energiewerkstatt is that Measurement planning, measurement, evaluation, and the preparation of reports are all carried out in-house.
Exhibition Concept
Measurement
Analysis
Expert Opinion
As a result, there are fewer points of contact between different service providers. In the case of measurements conducted by external providers, it may—in the worst-case scenario—only become apparent when the report is being prepared that the available data is insufficient or that important information regarding the measurement campaign is missing.
Direct Communication During the Evaluation
This connection between measurement technology and the preparation of expert reports is also beneficial during the subsequent analysis. If any anomalies are detected in the measurement data, the experts can consult directly with the measurement technicians involved to determine what occurred on-site during the measurement campaign.
For example:
- Were there any special conditions at the site?
- Why was a sensor positioned in a certain way?
- Were there any technical or weather-related issues?
This allows the measurement data to be interpreted using the knowledge gained from the measurement campaign, rather than relying solely on transmitted data and documentation.
From Survey Planning to a Reliable Report
Energiewerkstatt provides support for wind energy projects, from developing a site-specific measurement plan through wind measurement and analysis to the preparation of expert reports.
Are you planning a wind energy project, or would you like to determine which measurements are appropriate for your site and the subsequent assessment?
Talk to our team about the best approach for your project.
Phone: +43 (0)7746 / 28212/0
Email: robert.zenz@energiewerkstatt.org