Overview
Wind accounts for the primary movement of air in the atmosphere. Winds affect on our planet is considerable. For thousands of years, man has used wind as a tool for transportation and power. Explorers used wind to propel their ships to new worlds. More recently, aircraft depend on wind for safe travels.
While wind has contributed to the evolution of transportation by sea and air, it has also induced negative affects on society. Damage to infrastructure in the form of hurricanes and tornados has resulted in the loss of countless dollars and lives. Wind spreads wildfires and blankets the land in with snowdrifts. With these hazards aside, wind still offers much opportunity.
Wind power is now becoming popular among governments and organizations looking for a renewable energy source. Many countries in the European Union already use wind energy to satisfy a significant portion of their power consumption. Denmark hopes to produce enough wind energy to power half the country. The United States produces more wind energy to any other nation, but due to its vast area and population, this accounts for just over 1% of the countrys total electricity.
With the ever-growing popularity of wind turbines and wind farms, the need for wind monitoring systems is prevalent. Professionals and environmental experts strive for accurate wind data. NexSens Technology provides solutions for all types of wind monitoring applications.
Selecting Sensors
NexSens offers a variety of wind sensors to choose from based on the requirements of the application. Vaisala and RM Young are two leading companies in the wind and weather measuring equipment industry. NexSens integrated systems are compatible with these sensors and any other weather sensor with a standard analog or digital output.
Vaisala offers the WMT52 ultrasonic wind sensors which use ultrasound to calculate horizontal wind speed and direction. This sensor features no moving parts and requires little maintenance. Vaisala also offers the WS425, which is a more accurate ultrasonic wind sensor that meets US National Weather Service standards. An ice free version, WS425 F/G, is available for extended deployment in the extreme cold.
The Vaisala WXT520 multi-parameter weather sensor measures wind speed and direction, as well as liquid precipitation, barometric pressure, temperature, and relative humidity. This all-in-one instrument is an extraordinary value and popular for applications requiring more than just wind data.
RM Young offers many types of wind sensors, ranging from economical to premium. The 12102 is a traditional 3-cup anemometer that measures horizontal wind speed. Several wind speed and direction monitors are available. The 05103 series features a 4-blade helicoid propeller wind speed sensor and vane style direction sensor.
Like Vaisala, RM Young also provides ultrasonic anemometers - the most advanced of which is the 81000 Ultrasonic 3D Anemometer. This instrument provides a complete picture of wind, measuring both horizontal and vertical wind speed/direction.
Data Logging and Telemetry
All of the sensors mentioned above are compatible with NexSens iSIC (Intelligent Sensor Interface & Control) data loggers. The iSIC data logger delivers unmatched sensor interface and data collection with options for direct connect, landline phone, cellular, radio, Ethernet, WI-FI, and satellite telemetry. Each data logger simultaneously supports 8 analog inputs & 4 digital inputs for multi-sensor data logging capability.
The iSIC data logger conveniently mounts to a 2" threaded aluminum mast and is ready for long-term deployment. All electronics are housed in a rugged, NEMA 4X enclosure constructed of heavy-duty fiberglass. The built-in 8.5 amp-hour sealed lead acid battery provides 12 volt power to the system, and the battery is continuously charged via 20-watt solar panel or AC adapter. Polymer-coated circuit boards, sealed connectors, corrosion-resistant stainless steel hardware, and built-in lightning protection ensure reliable performance in the harshest conditions.
Selecting a Location
Finding a suitable site for the wind monitoring station is important for getting representative ambient measurements. The site should represent the general area of interest. The station should be installed in a location that is free from turbulence caused by nearby objects, such as trees and buildings. Ideally, there should be at least 150 meters of open area in all directions from the station.
Installations on top of high buildings or masts and in open sites on grounds are vulnerable to lightning strikes. A nearby lightning strike may induce a high-voltage surge not tolerable by the internal surge suppressors of the instrument. Additional protection is need in regions with frequent, severe thunderstorms. A Vaisala WSP150 surge protector is recommended with the wind monitoring station in all sites where there is an elevated risk of lightning strike.
Managing Data
Wind measurements are logged at a user-defined interval (minimum 1 minute). The user also sets the interval at which data is transmitted via cellular telemetry. A common interval for wind monitoring systems is to log data every 10 minutes and transmit every 30 minutes. Wind data can be transmitted via landline phone, cellular, radio, satellite, or Ethernet telemetry to a remote computer.
iChart is a user-friendly Windows-based software package that serves as the centralized interface and database for all incoming data. A single Software license can manage a virtually unlimited number of remote wind monitoring sites. The software allows users to generate customized reports with weather data from all systems in an iChart database. Reports can be converted to PDF, exported to Microsoft Excel, sent to interested parties via e-mail, uploaded to a web server, and more.
NexSens WQData PRO is an optional web-based data management solution for wind monitoring systems and other environmental data. The modular datacenter interface can be easily customized to include project-specific themes and information. WQData PRO offers a unique Active Data Sourcing tool that allows users to query and include data from National Weather Service sites and other publicly available datacenters.
Rental Equipment and On-Site Services
Wind monitoring systems are most commonly purchased and installed for long-term or permanent applications; however, there are commonly short-term and/or portable wind measurement applications that make it cost-prohibitive. NexSens Technology offers both standalone and real-time cellular telemetry wind monitoring systems with weekly and monthly rental rates to meet project requirements.
To ensure that customers can begin using their wind monitoring system as quickly and efficiently as possible, our application engineers are available for training and technical support, both by phone and in person. Our company offers both extensive field experience and a wide array of deployment hardware to facilitate seamless implementation of the project. Contact our application engineering team for your next wind monitoring project.
