Assessment of turbulence intensity estimates from floating lidar systems

Abstract In the pre-construction phase of offshore wind energy projects floating lidar systems (FLS) are used for site assessment. Their measurements mean speed and direction have proven to be accurate according existing standards. But assessment turbulence intensity (TI), a widely-accepted procedure acceptance criteria missing. This study investigates different evaluation methods, namely linear regression analysis key performance indicators (KPIs) presented by Consortium Advancing Remote Sensing (CFARS). The is based on data from an trial Fugro SEAWATCH Wind Lidar Buoy (SWLB) against meteorological mast collocated fixed profiling at Blyth, UK. results show that accuracy TI estimates FLS can evaluated well, when KPIs bias error (MBE) representative suggested CFARS used. We propose best-practice thresholds ±1% MBE ±1.5% error. motion-compensation approach SWLB works well after compensation, its similar reference lidar. impact lidar-specific effects minor in analyzed set near-to-zero biases found all measurement elevations bins comparison data.