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Bureau of Offshore Energy Management wind energy area offshore of New York.
Floating LiDAR for Equinor off the US Atlantic coast
RPS was engaged in late 2017 to develop a long-term meteorological and oceanographic (metocean) measurement program for a potential wind farm development off Long Island, New York, along the east coast of the United States.
This study will provide critical information to support feasibility assessment for two potential offshore wind farm sites off the eastern coast of the United States. Combining world-leading floating LiDAR measurement technology with advanced metocean data analysis and modelling capability, our team is monitoring a range of open ocean environmental variables including waves, wind speed, turbulence and currents in near real time with 2 RPS designed and built floating Lidar buoys. The study will provide high-accuracy data inputs to inform offshore wind farm site selection, yield optimisation, array engineering, workplace safety and more.
Floating Light Detection and Ranging is a modern measurement technique that uses laser light pulses to monitor the air speed of particles are moving, from a floating platform in the open ocean. Floating LiDAR allows us to accurately measure wind speed, at turbine heights, more cost-effectively than with traditional wind measurement methods at sea such as met masts. It can be combined with a range of other metocean measurement technologies to develop a reliable picture of open ocean conditions, even in dangerous and remote locations.
Reliable environmental solutions deployed offshore
RPS took traditional LiDAR technology and integrated it into a buoy with power, data storage and satellite communication capabilities.
Applying our deep expertise of offshore measurement, our design and development process was focussed on creating a reliable design to maximise data accuracy and return, while making the process of information gathering easier and more cost-effective for our clients.
Timeline
December 2017
In December 2017, the project started.
February 2018
In February 2018, the Lidar buoy design was completed.
July 2018
In July 2018, the Lidar buoy was tested offshore of Perth.
August 2018
In August 2018, Lidar buoy #2 was deployed in the UK for validation.
November 2018
In November 2018, Lidar buoy #1 was shipped to New York and deployed.
2020
This is an ongoing project, with an expected completion date sometime in 2020.
Key Details
Project Name
Floating Lidar for Equinor off the US Atlantic Coast
Client
Equinor
Sector
- Renewables
Location
- Coastal waters off Long Island, New York, USA
Services Provided
- Floating Lidar buoy design, development, deployment, and maintenance
- Wind profile, waves, currents and meteorological data collection, and analysis
Challenge
When developing any project or structure offshore – be it a fixed or floating wind turbine or an oil platform – engineers and designers need reliable information about environmental conditions to guide feasibility investigations, resource assessment, engineering and construction management. The challenge was to develop an offshore measurement system that was less expensive than fixed platform structures, but equally as reliable and capable of collecting data autonomously for long periods of time.
Solution
The RPS new Floating LiDAR buoys are designed to incorporate RPS’ more than 30 years of metocean measurement experience. They allow for two-way data exchange for near real-time monitoring and to facilitate remote intervention as necessary. Our buoys are powered by solar and wind generators, delivering an emissions-free renewable solution for the offshore industry. We combine this with innovative and environmentally friendly moorings.
Project Statistics
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Measurement program to support offshore wind farm feasibility site selection.
New
state-of-the-art Floating LiDAR buoy developed by RPS for the project
Multi-variable
Wave, tide and current analysis, environmental analysis and modelling
Key contacts
Keith Kurrus
General Manager MetOcean - NAm