A ZephIR wind Lidar system was installed on an existing lighthouse structure thanks to a custom-built solution developed by SgurrEnergy (now Wood) with the aim to enhance the energy assessment and revenue forecasting for the proposed Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm 15 kilometers off the Angus coast in the East of Scotland.
The project was carried out in cooperation with the Northern Lighthouse Board. The ZephIR wind Lidar, attached to the world's oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse at Bell Rock in Scotland, achieved up to 95% data availability and conducted measurements remotely at heights of more than 180 metres above the sea during the 3 years of detailed wind direction and wind velocity measurements. These data sets were taken to complement the wind data from an offshore met mast. At the end of the campaign the Lidar and supporting structure were removed with no trace left on the historic lighthouse. Pre- and post-deployment validations of the ZephIR wind Lidar were conducted against a 91 metre IEC compliant mast at the UK Remote Sensing Test Site. From analysis of the results there were no significant changes observed in the Lidar’s performance during the 3 ½ years, with absolute performance fitting well within the industry standard (IEC) requirement for accuracy on wind speed for a first class, calibrated, well-mounted cup anemometer.
