Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA), a cooperative provider of electric services in Alaska, is advancing its renewable energy efforts with the help of wind Lidar technology to remotely sense the available wind resource at prospective wind farm locations.
As part of its goal to reduce carbon emissions, GVEA is exploring opportunities to expand electric supply from renewable energy sources, particularly wind power. To enhance its wind resource assessments, the cooperative is using the ZX 300 Lidar.
Under the guidance of DNV, Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) deployed the ZX 300 wind Lidar, paired with a Mobismart Hybrid Clean Power Trailer, northeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. Despite the area's extreme weather — ranging from 85°F (30°C) in summer to -36°F (-38°C) in winter — the Lidar has been successfully operating autonomously, powered by the off-grid Mobismart Hybrid power trailer. It is planned that data gathered by GVEA from the energy assessments will be made public, encouraging private developers to submit proposals and potentially enter long-term power purchase agreements.
