Nacelle lidar: Is it better than ground lidar?

Presentation Description: Nacelle lidar has finally arrived! With the Committee Draft For Voting (CDV) of the IEC 61400-50-3, nacelle lidar is finally on the same footing as ground lidar. UL expects the CDV to increase the use of nacelle lidar. However, the questions remains: Is nacelle or ground lidar better for power performance testing?
This study presents a new case study comparing nacelle lidar, ground lidar, met mast, and nacelle anemometers. The study will compare speeds from each measurement device, as well as the AEP that would be calculated using each device. The standard deviation of power readings in each bin will be compared among the technologies. Previous studies have shown that the standard deviation of power performance data using nacelle lidar is lower than either ground lidar or met towers. In addition, the case study will present comparisons of turbulence intensity between the various wind speed measurement technologies. The study will examine the impacts of IEC 61400-12-1 Edition 2 compared to Edition 1. Finally, an uncertainty analysis will be completed using each technology and compared for both wind speed and energy calculations.