Catch the Wind has announced that it is entering the test phase of its trial program with the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), following the successful development of capabilities to integrate the Vindicator laser wind sensor (LWS) with the control system of an operating turbine.
"Developing integration capabilities for the Vindicator LWS represents a significant milestone," said Phil Rogers, President and CEO, Catch the Wind Inc.
"By validating our belief that the Vindicator can be used to optimize a turbine's performance, these capabilities will enable us to capitalize on significant opportunities to retrofit our technology with the existing and ever-growing installed base of turbines around the world."
As part of the test phase, Catch the Wind is now progressing with the integration of a Vindicator LWS unit to control a working turbine located at NPPD's Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility located near Ainsworth, Nebraska.
The trial program, which is designed to evaluate how using forward measurement of wind speed and direction to optimally align wind turbines with the approaching wind can reduce the off-axis stress loads on turbines, is expected to be completed by September 30, 2009.
Catch the Wind believes that this reduction in off-axis loading will result in reduced maintenance costs and extended component lifetime.
As announced previously, the trial program is taking place at the NPPD's Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility. The facility has 36 large wind turbines, each capable of generating up to 1.65 megawatts of energy, for a combined total of 59.4 megawatts. Based on average annual consumption, a 60-megawatt wind facility can generate enough electricity to serve approximately 19,000 homes.
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