First LiDAR Wind Buoys in China

Many business hubs are located close to the coast in China: This, coupled with the state’s expansion targets, is stimulating the constant growth of the offshore wind energy sector in China. CTG received the contract to build two wind farms with a capacity of 4 GW altogether and wants to obtain precise measurements of the conditions on-site using Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoy technology. Titan Technologies Corporation has been engaged by CTG to perform the measurements. The company will also be completing the installation work, servicing, and data evaluation.

“We have been working with Fraunhofer for years and appreciate their proven, highly deployable solutions for complex operational conditions. Paving the way for CTG’s vision of reliable offshore wind energy for China is an exciting and honorable assignment to which we contribute years of wind energy experience”, said John Feng, Chairman of Titan Technologies Corporation.

By providing comprehensive feedback on the buoy’s performance under the specific operation conditions found in China, Titan contributes to Fraunhofer’s sound understanding of the requirements of varying environmental loads, e.g. typhoons. Furthermore, as an IWES partner, Titan provides Chinese companies information on technological solutions, services and possible application.

“We welcome the order from Titan Technologies Corp. and believe that CTG’s decision to use two Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoys could set an example in China”, said Bernhard Lange, Head of Wind Farm Planning and Operation at Fraunhofer IWES.

The Fraunhofer IWES LiDAR buoy has already been used multiple times for offshore measuring; most recently off the Scottish coast for the projected Firth of Forth wind farm. It measures wind speed up to 200 m above the surface of the water. The buoy not only passed the Carbon Trust tests for floating LiDAR devices, but surpassed the requirements for accuracy and availability. The buoy’s durability is evident in its robust build with double-encapsulated LiDAR and redundant power supply.

Fraunhofer IWES researchers developed not only the design but also the correction algorithm, which eliminates buoy movements from the measurements. This algorithm guarantees an extremely precise measurement, even in strong seas, delivering data that are as reliable as those collected with a fixed met mast.

Titan Technologies Co., Ltd., incorporated in 2009, is a system integrator, solution provider and smart manufacturer. The company is principally engaged in smart manufacturing through products, services and technology that enable its customers conducting manufacturing in a cleaner, safer, more reliable and efficient way.