https://www.catchthewindinc.com/news/catch-wind-presents-field-trial-data-ewea-annual-event
The Vindicator® Laser Wind Sensor generated greater than 20% increased energy output by better aligning a turbine with the wind
Catch the Wind Ltd. (TSX-V: CTW) today delivered a summary report of data collected to date from its Vindicator® Laser Wind Sensor (LWS) field trials and customer evaluation programs at the European Wind Energy Association 2011 Annual Event in Brussels, Belgium.
Specific energy output data collected over a span of 11 monthsindicated that the Vindicator® LWS consistently generated 14% increasedenergy output as compared to periods when the legacy wind directioninputs were utilized, with optimization experiments showing increasedenergy output in excess of 20%.
“We are extremely pleased by the results of our customer trialprograms,” said Phil Rogers, President and CEO of Catch the Wind. “Thedata clearly show that by better aligning turbines with the wind, theVindicator® LWS system’s look-ahead measurement and turbine controlcapabilities deliver significant energy output benefits that areunmatched in the industry.”
Mr. Rogers added, “Given the economics of typical North Americanpower purchase agreements, the Vindicator will deliver payback oninvestment within 12 to 24 months depending on turbine size, and helpwind farm owners and operators maximize their revenue and profitpotential.”
Key highlights of the summary report presented at the EWEA 2011 Annual Event:
- The Vindicator® LWS was installed on five turbines ranging in size from 1.3 MW to more than 2.0 MW.
- In one field trial, the Vindicator® LWS generated an average energy output increase of 14% on a 1.65 MW turbine over 11 months.
- Using a more optimized control algorithm, the Vindicator® LWS generated an energy output increase of greater than 20% on the same 1.65MW turbine.
- The Vindicator® LWS also generated an average energy output increase of 11.1% on a 1.3 MW turbine in a separate evaluation program.
- The increases in energy production were due to improved pointing accuracy and increased large scale wind gust detection resulting from wind direction inputs measured by the Vindicator® LWS system.
- Data measured by the Vindicator® LWS further demonstrated that turbines using traditional wind measurement systems typically experience RMS yaw errors in excess of 21 degrees.
Mr. Rogers also said, “We believe that these latest results, whichare consistent across a number of variables, including time, variousturbine makes and models, and multiple geographic locations, will leadto follow-on orders from customers as the data indicates that the energyimprovement performance trigger points under current customercontingent purchase agreements should be met or exceeded.”
Yaw control, which involves aligning a turbine’s blades perpendicularto the oncoming wind, has traditionally been a reactive process usingdata inputs from wind vanes or sonic anemometers that are located tosense the wind after it has passed through the rotor blades. Conversely,Catch the Wind’s Vindicator® LWS provides real-time wind speed anddirection measurements at multiple, simultaneous points ahead of theturbine rotor, thus enabling a turbine to proactively orient itself intothe oncoming wind for optimal energy capture and stress load reduction.
A copy of the Update Report presented can be accessed from the Company’s website, www.catchthewindinc.com
Click here to view CTW’s press briefing.
About Catch the Wind Ltd.
Catch the Wind Ltd. is a high-growth technology company headquartered inManassas, Virginia. The company was founded in 2008 to develop andmanufacture the Vindicator® laser wind sensor.
Catch the Wind serves the commercial market sector for laser basedwind sensor systems, recognized as the “gold standard” in windmeasurement. The company is focused on becoming a major contributor inmaking clean, renewable wind energy more affordable and profitable. Formore information, visit www.catchthewindinc.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements within themeaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements involverisks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results,performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially fromthose expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-lookingstatements in this news release, include, but are not limited to,economic performance and future plans and objectives of Catch the Wind.Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differmaterially from these forward-looking statements as well as futureresults. Although Catch the Wind believes that the assumptions andfactors used in making the forward-looking statements are reasonable,undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which onlyapply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be giventhat such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all.Catch the Wind disclaims any intention or obligation to update or reviseany forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information,future events or otherwise.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For more information, please contact:
Catch the Wind Ltd.
Claudia Jaques
Vice President and General Counsel
703-393-0754
cjaques@catchthewindinc.com
TMX Equicom
Joe Racanelli
Investor Relations
416-815-0700 ext. 243
jracanelli@equicomgroup.com