Application: Wind Resource Assessment (WRA) 

Finding a site with the resources to develop a wind farm is key to the success of the farm’s energy output. Developers dedicate a lot of time to determine the best process and equipment to assess a location’s suitability. To do so, they need a system tower to measure wind speed, wind direction, temperature, and pressure at multiple heights. These elements ensure that assessment data is continuous and consistent to determine the best site. If developers don’t have access to measurements at multiple heights, they risk data accuracy or could lose data if one sensor drops out. Wind farms located off the grid benefit from having remote-communication capabilities to observe measurement collection while not physically on-site. Campbell Scientific’s instrumentation, data loggers, and communications solutions can create a complete WRA solution that equips developers with the tools to secure reliable data and assess their desired wind resource site. 

Data Loggers used in Wind Monitoring 

Our data loggers can be used for many different purposes. They can make and record measurements, control electrical devices, or both. The data loggers’ multifaceted capabilities include functioning as PLCs or RTUs. They have many different channel types, allowing nearly all sensor types to be measured on a single unit. For example, one data logger can measure strain on turbine blades, wind speed, and power output of the turbine, even while controlling peripheral devices. The CR1000 with an LLAC4 peripheral can measure up to 10 low-level ac output anemometers. If long cable runs are being avoided, our CR200X-series data loggers can be deployed in a wireless network configuration, allowing cost effective monitoring at each level of a wind assessment tower. 

The reliability of our data logger systems ensures data collection, even under adverse conditions. Wide operating temperature ranges and weather-proof enclosures allow our systems to operate reliably in harsh environments. Because they have their own power supply (batteries, solar panels), our data loggers continue to measure and store data and perform control during power outages. Up to 2 million data points can be stored in the data logger’s non-volatile memory, while CompactFlash cards can be used to increase data storage to tens of millions of points. Data is time- and date-stamped to provide key information for identifying and analyzing past events. 

Measurement Capabilities 

Channel types include analog (single-ended and differential), pulse, switched excitation, and digital. Not only are there multiple types of input channels, but each of these channels can be independently programmed for various sensor types. Most sensors connect directly to the data logger, eliminating the need for external signal conditioning. Multiplexers and other peripherals can be used with most of our data loggers to increase the numbers and types of channels. 

Control Capabilities 

The ability of our data loggers to perform advanced control functions is a great advantage. Powerful on-board instruction sets allow unattended measurement and control decisions based on time or conditional events. Using these instruction sets, data loggers can be programmed to perform multiple control functions based on different scenarios. For example, alarms can be triggered, phone numbers dialed, or equipment shut down if the system detects an equipment failure–all without human intervention. 

Wind Monitoring Sensors 

Almost any sensor can be measured by our data loggers, allowing the wind energy system to be customized for each application. Typical sensors include, but are not limited to: sonic anemometers, 3-cup and propeller anemometers, wind vanes, temperature sensors (air, water, equipment, and product), solar radiation, electrical current, resistance, power, and voltage. 

Communications 

The availability of multiple telecommunications and on-site options for retrieving data or reporting site conditions also allows our systems to be customized to meet exact needs. Options include: radio, telephone, cellphone, voice-synthesized phone, satellite, and Ethernet. Systems can be programmed to send alarms or report site conditions by calling out to computers, phones, radios, and pagers. 

Software 

Our PC-based support software simplifies the entire data acquisition process, from programming to data retrieval to data display and analysis. Our software automatically manages data retrieval from networks or single stations. Robust error-checking ensures data integrity. We can even help you post your data to the Internet.