The main objective of the Task 32 is to identify and mitigate barriers to the use of lidar technology in wind energy applications and topic areas such as: Site assessment, Power performance, Loads & control, and Complex flow.

Challenges that arise in complex flow relate to the adoption of methods whose sophistication can accommodate the complex phenomena being observed. This has required a change in perspective compared to the approach that has proved sufficient when using lidars to replicate the relatively simple systems used to acquire the limited measurements required by established wind energy assessment procedures that involve various simplifying assumptions.

Task 32 have met this challenge by developing the Lidar Use Case. This procedure ensures critical information regarding the data requirements, measurement method, and measurement situation is captured and documented, so that diverse lidar methods can be applied to fulfil data requirements that are not determined by user preconceptions, and that the performance of these methods is understood with respect to the circumstances in which they are adopted in a repeatable manner. It transpires that a use case may be considered valid if it includes all the information necessary to develop a complete, robust and unbiassed model for evaluating the uncertainty associated with the measurement campaign outcomes.

This workshop explored a variety of case studies in which lidar was used in complex flow situations, in particular in the assessment of wind turbine wakes. A particular focus was given to the identification of contributions to uncertainty and their dependencies and relationships. Significantly greater effort is required during measurement campaign design to ensure data requirements are clarified, such that the most suitable measurement methods may be selected. In addition, the influence of the situation on the performance of the method with respect to accuracy requires detailed investigation.

The realistic representation of complex conditions in our measurements, sufficient for integration with detailed wind flow models, requires complex measurement methods. Task 32 remains a key forum for the elaboration and elucidation of our approach to this challenge.