Catch the Wind Ltd. has announced that its Vindicator laser wind sensor will be used by the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) as part of a trial program 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.
Catch the Wind believes that this reduction in off-axis loading will
result in reduced maintenance costs and extended component lifetime.
The trial program will take place at the NPPD's Ainsworth Wind Energy
Facility. The facility has 36 large wind turbines, each capable of
generating up to 1.65MW.
