When erecting wind turbines in terrain it is essential to position these for optimum utilisation of the wind in the chosen area.

For measurement of wind conditions IPU and Risø DTU have developed and designed a wind scanner, which from a fixed position on the ground is able to measure wind velocity at a height of up to 300 m. By means of two independently rotating prisms the measuring laser beam can be controlled as required. When the laser beam hits particles in the air, light is reflected back to the scanner. Doppler shift is used as measuring principle to determine the velocity of the wind.

One scanner may measure the velocity of the wind, but not its direction. Using three scanners simultaneously makes it possible to measure both the velocity and the direction of the wind.

Based on an idea and a patent from Risø DTU, IPU has been responsible for development, design and production of three scanners which are used by Risø DTU in their research related to measuring wind.

The IPU expertise in development and design is among the main reasons why we today have a robust and high precision instrument that can be used in field studies and continuing research.

The project has been accomplished in close collaboration with Risø DTU, Natural Power and Heason Technology.

Torben Mikkelsen