DNV GL Opens 1st LiDAR Test Site in Asia

Global certification group DNV GL has launched its first LiDAR verification site in Asia to cater for the growing windpower market.

The world’s largest resource of independent energy experts and certification body said in a press release that the site, based in the near-shore facility, in Youngkwang, South Korea, provides optimal wind conditions for the verification of wind systems.

LiDAR measurement verifications are vital to subsequently conduct measurement campaigns for power performance testing of wind turbines as well as site assessments with LiDAR measurement systems.

The facility has “optimal conditions” for wind power benchmarking, has recently been used by Korean developer DaeHan Energy and Lidar device manufacturer VisionPlus, it said.

"Previously, LiDAR verification campaigns for Asian stakeholders had to be conducted at oversea sites. With the opening of the verification site in Korea, stakeholders now have the opportunity to conduct verification campaigns locally," it said.

With the advancements in wind turbine technology, turbines are increasing in capacity and height.

While traditional met masts usually have fixed heights of 60 m to 120 m, LiDAR technology can take measurements of up to 200 m at more height intervals. In combination with its portability,  LiDAR is quickly becoming the preferred measurement method by the wind industry.

LiDAR measurement systems have been widely adopted by the wind industry as a cost-effective tool for various measurement applications such as wind resource and power curve measurements as well as turbine control. This information is crucial in the development process of new wind turbines, to assess if they produce the power output as predicted in theoretical design phase of the turbine development. Furthermore, the data of the verification campaign is vital for site assessments, for example for the development of new wind parks.

The new test site has been developed with the input from DNV GL’s team of German LiDAR experts. DNV GL is among the pioneering companies to conduct wind campaigns with LiDAR technology, having conducted turbine and site measurements and verifications in this field since 2005.

In recent years, the demand for LiDAR measurement campaigns has been increasing greatly, in Germany alone the demand for LiDAR verification has increased by 100% for DNV GL.

Similar growth rates are expected in Asia, as the number of new turbine designs from local manufacturers and proposed wind parks is expected to increase. With LiDAR being a new technology in the industry, third party verification of the devices are vital to ensure the quality of the data.

Nicolas Renon, Executive Vice President, APAC, DNV GL – Energy said, “Previously, customers who wished to have their LiDAR verified had to send their equipment to our European offices. With this new site, we will be able to deliver more cost-efficient and higher quality data, tailored  to the characteristics of the Asia Pacific region and to support the growth of the fast growing local wind sector.”