IEA Wind Task 32: The Wind Lidar Community
Task 32 provides a platform for the open exchange of ideas,
experience, and techniques for the use of lidar for wind energy applications
Since 2012 Task 32 has built a strong community that works together to identify and mitigate the barriers to the adoption of wind lidar for wind energy applications.
We provide a structured forum for international collaborations between researchers, vendors, and users to exchange needs, ideas, and experiences.
The Task focuses on producing tangible results such as recommended practices that can be used by practitioners. And, we work in collaboration with other IEA Wind Tasks and related groups like CFARS and the EU-funded PROBE COST action to help make sure that R&D is aligned with users’ needs.
Our Objectives
Task 32 exists to enable exchange of experience and ideas between the many different stakeholders that are involved with the use of wind lidar by the wind industry, helping everyone make the best use of wind lidar.
Application Areas
We focus on four wind energy applications, including site assessment, power performance, loads and control, and complex flow. We also explore new ideas that are still in the early research stages.
Our approach
We hold annual General Meetings to build our community, have regular dedicated workshops to explore specific issues, and have working groups that are making progress on the adoption of lidar technology.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to our most commonly asked questions about IEA Wind TCP Task 32
How can lidar inform us about the conditions where we want to build wind turbines?
Wind lidar can be used to measure wind speed, direction, and other wind characteristics as part of a wind resource assessment campaign on land or offshore. They can measure well above the tip height of any of today's turbines, and can even measure conditions several kilometers away. Get in touch with a wind lidar service provider or wind energy consultant to find out how you could use them for your application.
How can we use lidar to better operate wind turbines and plants?
Wind lidar can be used to look upwind and adjust wind turbines to reduce peak loads and fatigue due to gusts, veer, or shear. They can also be used to look around a wind plant and steer wakes. This important application - called lidar-assisted control - is a central theme in wind lidar research today.
How can lidar be used for performance verification?
Ground-based wind lidar can be used for power performance verification tests. This application is described in the existing IEC 61400-12-1 standard. Nacelle-mounted, forward-looking lidar can also be used for power performance testing, and this will be covered soon by a new IEC 61400-50-3 standard. Other approaches, like measurements from further away or from the transition piece of offshore wind turbines, are still being tested. Task 32 helps stakeholders share their experience with this application.
How can we collaborate on lidar hardware and software?
Task 32's members have been developing the frameworks and tools needed to collaborate on device hardware and software, and the software used to analyse results. This includes reference lidar devices, a lidar ontology, and exploring the effects of digitalisation on wind lidar.
.. and what are the new or unusual applications that we should be aware of?
Wind lidar can be used for other applications in wind energy. For example, wind lidar are being used commercially to forecast wind speed ramps, and can also be used for atmospheric science research. It has also been used to forecast instrument icing. Wind lidar also has applications outside of wind energy, for example for weather forecasting, aviation or transport, and it is helpful to share knowledge across disciplines. Task 32 provides a community for the exchange of new ideas about how to use wind lidar.