Wind Retrieval from Constellations of Small SAR Satellites: Potential for Offshore Wind Resource Assessment

The planning of offshore wind energy projects requires observations over long periods for the establishment speed distributions. In marine environment, high-quality in situ are sparse and restricted to point locations. Numerical modeling is typically used determine spatial variability resource. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from satellites can be retrieval fields ocean at a high resolution. recent launch constellations small SAR by private companies will improve sampling scenes significantly coming years compared with current rates offered multi-purpose missions operated public space agencies. For first time, retrieved series StriX delivered Synspective (Japan) also Sentinel-1 European Space Agency. satellite winds FINO3 mast North Sea. This leads root-mean-square errors 1.4–1.8 m s−1 negative biases −0.4 −1.0 s−1, respectively. Although Geophysical Model Functions (GMF) applied retrievals have not yet been tuned observations, accuracy satisfactory. Through conditional sampling, we estimate resource future scenarios where number orbit increasing time. We find that hourly samples needed fully capture diurnal site investigated. A combination clusters yield necessary accurate estimation. particularly important sites pronounced variability. An additional benefit mapped sub-km scale. very resolution valuable characterizing conditions vicinity existing farms.