1. European Meteorological Society
Energy Resource Group
Urchin Technology
Dr. Derek Kearney
Prof. Brian Norton
Dr. Brian Kearney
Eamonn Murphy
Ciaran Mythen
Gerard Riney
Thesis Statement
Wind resource assessment for electricity producing wind turbines.
Wind turbulence is a three-dimensional phenomenon; current anemometry measures wind using two dimensional instrumentation. This manifests itself in the lack of predictability of performance. Comes to the fore in performance stats for wind turbines
Power productions is not what it is predicted.
Power output is different and there is no methodology currently available to explain this.
By providing wind data in three dimensions, the goal beyond the scope of this thesis is to show a direct co-relation between the performance of wind turbines and the turbulence measured in three dimensions. That is where research is going but beyond scope of current PhD. This is part of the commercialisation of this project to demonstrate this link between turbulence and power output of wind turbines.
Increasing the boundaries of knowledge about wind turbulence and wind behaviour.
2.30 pm. Monday, 5th September 2017, Helix Centre, Dublin

2. Problem Statement International Civil Aviation Organisation, Annex 3,
Wind is a three-dimensional complex phenomenon.
Traditional instrumentation provides inadequate data on wind characteristics, because it measures accurately only in two dimensions.
Accurate wind speed data is vitally important for the Aviation Industry.
Airport Instrumentation is not to the job of providing accurate data on wind and turbulence for Air Traffic Controllers to safely guide aircraft
MOST OBSERVERS WILL AGREE THAT – FOR THE WIND ENERGY SECTOR AT LEAST - WIND SPEED MEASUREMENTS ARE THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT METRIC.
SEVERAL THINGS DEPEND ON BASE MEASUREMENTS OF WIND SPEED NOT LEAST – THE SELECTION OF THE SITE – THE SELECTION OF TURBINE – THE MATHEMATIC MODELS THAT EXTRAPOLATE FROM WIND SPEED MEASUREMENTS – OVERALL PROJECT FINANCING – THE LIST GOES ON.
ONE KEY POINT IS THAT POWER GENERATION FORECASTS DEPEND HUGELY ON BASE WIND SPEED MEASUREMANTS
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, HOWEVER, THAT WE ARE MORE OR LESS WHOLLY RELIANT ON TECHNOLOGY THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER A CENTURY. MOREOVER, AS WE LEARN MORE ABOOUT CONVERTING WIND POWER TO ELECTRICAL POWER, THE SHORTCOMINGS OF TRADITIONAL ANEMOMETRY IS COMING UNDER INCREASING SCRUTINY.
FORECASTING HAS RECENTLY COME UNDER THE CRITICAL GAZE OF FINANCIAL ANALYSTS AND CREDIT RATING AGENCIES SUCH AS MOODYS AND NORDEA
International Civil Aviation Organisation, Annex 3,
‘…turbulence and, to a large extent, wind shear are elements which, for the time being, cannot be satisfactorily observed from the ground and for which in most cases aircraft observations represent the only available evidence.’ [64: p. 5-3].

3. Performance Characteristics of a Cup Anemometer
Cup anemometers measure horizontal wind speed only - it produces a single scalar quantity only.
The characteristic curve for a cup anemometers show that the relative speed of a cup anemometer will vary with the angle of the wind.
“For wind speed measurement above sloping terrain ... it can be argued that the ideal cup anemometer to use is one which measures total, not horizontal wind speed, since total wind speed does indeed represent what is available for power conversion.
Unfortunately, no cup anemometer currently on the market perfectly displays either type of behaviour, although the issue is being addressed.” (Pedersen et al., 2000)
THE EARLIER MENTIONED TROELS PEDERSON DESCRIBED TWO TYPES OF CUP ANEMOMETER WHERE “IDEAL” SENSITIVITY TO THE W OR VERTICAL WIND COMPONENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.
FIRSTLY, A CUP ANEMOMETER WITH COSINE WEIGHTED SENSITIVITY – IN OTHER WORDS A DEVICE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THAT WIND WAS COMING AT IT FROM AN INCLINED ANGLE AND THUS BE ABLE TO AUTO-CORRECT TO GET THE SO-CALLED “PURE” HORIZONTAL WIND SPEED.
ALTHOUGH PEDERSON SAID IN 2000 THAT THE ISSUE WAS BEING ADDRESSED THE FURTHEST WE’VE GOT IS TO ENSURE THAT A CLASS I CUP ANEMOMETER MATCHES AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE THE COSINE CURVE AS SHOWN – BUT IN A WIND TUNNEL– THE LATEST IN CUP ANEMOMETRY STILL TODAY CANNOT DETECT THE VERTICAL WIND COMPONENT.
SECONDLY, WE HAVE DESCRIBED A DEVICE THAT DOESN’T CARE WHAT THE ANGLE OF INCLINATION IS – WHY? - BECAUSE IT CAN MEASURE IT – IN OTHER WORDS IT IS AN OMNI-DIRECTIONAL CUP ANEMOMETER. TODAY – AND DESPITE PEDERSEN’S HOPE OBSERVATION OF ALMOS 15 YEARS AGO - WE REMAIN NOHWERE NEAR DEVELOPING SUCH A DEVICE BASED ON THE PRINCIPAL OF CUP ANEMOMETRY.
BUT WHY WE MAY ASK ARE BASE WIND SPEED MEASUREMENTS SO IMPORTANT? WHY DO WE NEED TOTAL WIND SPEED CALCULATIONS? THE ISSUE IS THAT SMALL ERRORS OR “UNCERTAINTIES” IN WIND SPEED CALCULATION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LAND INDUSTRY PLAYERS IN A WHOLE HEAP OF TROUBLE.
From Pedersons Report:
EXPERT GROUP STUDY ON RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR WIND TURBINE TESTING AND EVALUATION
Section 11 WIND SPEED MEASUREMENT AND USE OF CUP ANEMOMETRY
Part 2.1 What a Cup Anemometer Measures
A cup anemometer conventionally consists of three hemispherical or conical cups, arranged in a horizontal rotor configuration around a central vertical shaft that drives a signal generation device. Cup anemometers are ostensibly adirectional i.e. they should respond identically to winds coming from different directions within the horizontal plane. Thus in terms of a standard x,y,z co-ordinate system with velocity components u, v and w, the cup anemometer is primarily designed to measure the horizontal wind speed,
Sq. (u2+v2 ),
not the magnitude of the horizontal vector.
For the w (vertical) component of wind speed, two types of ‘ideal’ sensitivity are possible:
• if a cup anemometer displays a cosine weighted sensitivity to angle of deviation of the total wind vector from the horizontal plane, then the instrument will measure purely the horizontal wind speed, i.e.
sq.(u2 + v2 ).
• if a cup anemometer is insensitive to angle of deviation of the total wind vector from the horizontal plane, then the instrument will measure total wind speed, i.e.
Sq.(u2 + v2 +w2).
For wind speed measurement above sloping terrain, or when testing wind turbines whose rotors have the ability to rock (teeter), it can be argued that the ideal cup anemometer to use is one which measures total, not horizontal wind speed, since total wind speed does indeed represent what is available for power conversion. Unfortunately, no cup anemometer currently on the market perfectly displays either type of behaviour, although this issue is being addressed. .
The issue of vertical sensitivity will be dealt with in more detail later.

4. Result From Insufficient Data on Runway Conditions
International Civil Aviation Organisation App 6.7 Note 2: Specifications for reporting the intensity of wind shear are still undergoing development. It is recognized, however, that pilots, when reporting wind shear, may use the qualifying terms “moderate”, “strong” or “severe”, based to a large extent on their subjective assessment of the intensity of the wind shear encountered.
“For wind speed measurement above sloping terrain ... it can be argued that the ideal cup anemometer to use is one which measures total, not horizontal wind speed, since total wind speed does indeed represent what is available for power conversion.
Unfortunately, no cup anemometer currently on the market perfectly displays either type of behaviour, although the issue is being addressed.” (Pedersen et al., 2000)
THE EARLIER MENTIONED TROELS PEDERSON DESCRIBED TWO TYPES OF CUP ANEMOMETER WHERE “IDEAL” SENSITIVITY TO THE W OR VERTICAL WIND COMPONENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.
FIRSTLY, A CUP ANEMOMETER WITH COSINE WEIGHTED SENSITIVITY – IN OTHER WORDS A DEVICE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THAT WIND WAS COMING AT IT FROM AN INCLINED ANGLE AND THUS BE ABLE TO AUTO-CORRECT TO GET THE SO-CALLED “PURE” HORIZONTAL WIND SPEED.
ALTHOUGH PEDERSON SAID IN 2000 THAT THE ISSUE WAS BEING ADDRESSED THE FURTHEST WE’VE GOT IS TO ENSURE THAT A CLASS I CUP ANEMOMETER MATCHES AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE THE COSINE CURVE AS SHOWN – BUT IN A WIND TUNNEL– THE LATEST IN CUP ANEMOMETRY STILL TODAY CANNOT DETECT THE VERTICAL WIND COMPONENT.
SECONDLY, WE HAVE DESCRIBED A DEVICE THAT DOESN’T CARE WHAT THE ANGLE OF INCLINATION IS – WHY? - BECAUSE IT CAN MEASURE IT – IN OTHER WORDS IT IS AN OMNI-DIRECTIONAL CUP ANEMOMETER. TODAY – AND DESPITE PEDERSEN’S HOPE OBSERVATION OF ALMOS 15 YEARS AGO - WE REMAIN NOHWERE NEAR DEVELOPING SUCH A DEVICE BASED ON THE PRINCIPAL OF CUP ANEMOMETRY.
BUT WHY WE MAY ASK ARE BASE WIND SPEED MEASUREMENTS SO IMPORTANT? WHY DO WE NEED TOTAL WIND SPEED CALCULATIONS? THE ISSUE IS THAT SMALL ERRORS OR “UNCERTAINTIES” IN WIND SPEED CALCULATION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LAND INDUSTRY PLAYERS IN A WHOLE HEAP OF TROUBLE.
From Pedersons Report:
EXPERT GROUP STUDY ON RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR WIND TURBINE TESTING AND EVALUATION
Section 11 WIND SPEED MEASUREMENT AND USE OF CUP ANEMOMETRY
Part 2.1 What a Cup Anemometer Measures
A cup anemometer conventionally consists of three hemispherical or conical cups, arranged in a horizontal rotor configuration around a central vertical shaft that drives a signal generation device. Cup anemometers are ostensibly adirectional i.e. they should respond identically to winds coming from different directions within the horizontal plane. Thus in terms of a standard x,y,z co-ordinate system with velocity components u, v and w, the cup anemometer is primarily designed to measure the horizontal wind speed,
Sq. (u2+v2 ),
not the magnitude of the horizontal vector.
For the w (vertical) component of wind speed, two types of ‘ideal’ sensitivity are possible:
• if a cup anemometer displays a cosine weighted sensitivity to angle of deviation of the total wind vector from the horizontal plane, then the instrument will measure purely the horizontal wind speed, i.e.
sq.(u2 + v2 ).
• if a cup anemometer is insensitive to angle of deviation of the total wind vector from the horizontal plane, then the instrument will measure total wind speed, i.e.
Sq.(u2 + v2 +w2).
For wind speed measurement above sloping terrain, or when testing wind turbines whose rotors have the ability to rock (teeter), it can be argued that the ideal cup anemometer to use is one which measures total, not horizontal wind speed, since total wind speed does indeed represent what is available for power conversion. Unfortunately, no cup anemometer currently on the market perfectly displays either type of behaviour, although this issue is being addressed. .
The issue of vertical sensitivity will be dealt with in more detail later.

5. Wind Urchin ‘Don’t model it, measure it’
World’s first truly three-dimensional instrument that measures wind, in all its aspects.
Up to 6,000 reading per second means there is more information available that any other wind measuring instrument on the planet.
‘Don’t model it, measure it’

6. Urchin – Operating Principles

7. Relative Pressure over Sphere
" :47:23 GMT"

8. Joint Met Éireann/DIT Wind Trials
By installing an Urchin on the Baldonnel site we were able to collect wind data from the Urchin that can be compared to a WMO certified installation.
Trials began on 1st of October 2015.
Fully three-dimensional data at a frequency of 100 Hz means that the Urchin can produce up to 64,000 data points a second.
A detailed view of the wind never seen before.
Ability to measure turbulence.
“For wind speed measurement above sloping terrain ... it can be argued that the ideal cup anemometer to use is one which measures total, not horizontal wind speed, since total wind speed does indeed represent what is available for power conversion.
Unfortunately, no cup anemometer currently on the market perfectly displays either type of behaviour, although the issue is being addressed.” (Pedersen et al., 2000)
THE EARLIER MENTIONED TROELS PEDERSON DESCRIBED TWO TYPES OF CUP ANEMOMETER WHERE “IDEAL” SENSITIVITY TO THE W OR VERTICAL WIND COMPONENT WOULD BE POSSIBLE.
FIRSTLY, A CUP ANEMOMETER WITH COSINE WEIGHTED SENSITIVITY – IN OTHER WORDS A DEVICE THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO TELL THAT WIND WAS COMING AT IT FROM AN INCLINED ANGLE AND THUS BE ABLE TO AUTO-CORRECT TO GET THE SO-CALLED “PURE” HORIZONTAL WIND SPEED.
ALTHOUGH PEDERSON SAID IN 2000 THAT THE ISSUE WAS BEING ADDRESSED THE FURTHEST WE’VE GOT IS TO ENSURE THAT A CLASS I CUP ANEMOMETER MATCHES AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE THE COSINE CURVE AS SHOWN – BUT IN A WIND TUNNEL– THE LATEST IN CUP ANEMOMETRY STILL TODAY CANNOT DETECT THE VERTICAL WIND COMPONENT.
SECONDLY, WE HAVE DESCRIBED A DEVICE THAT DOESN’T CARE WHAT THE ANGLE OF INCLINATION IS – WHY? - BECAUSE IT CAN MEASURE IT – IN OTHER WORDS IT IS AN OMNI-DIRECTIONAL CUP ANEMOMETER. TODAY – AND DESPITE PEDERSEN’S HOPE OBSERVATION OF ALMOS 15 YEARS AGO - WE REMAIN NOHWERE NEAR DEVELOPING SUCH A DEVICE BASED ON THE PRINCIPAL OF CUP ANEMOMETRY.
BUT WHY WE MAY ASK ARE BASE WIND SPEED MEASUREMENTS SO IMPORTANT? WHY DO WE NEED TOTAL WIND SPEED CALCULATIONS? THE ISSUE IS THAT SMALL ERRORS OR “UNCERTAINTIES” IN WIND SPEED CALCULATION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO LAND INDUSTRY PLAYERS IN A WHOLE HEAP OF TROUBLE.
From Pedersons Report:
EXPERT GROUP STUDY ON RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR WIND TURBINE TESTING AND EVALUATION
Section 11 WIND SPEED MEASUREMENT AND USE OF CUP ANEMOMETRY
Part 2.1 What a Cup Anemometer Measures
A cup anemometer conventionally consists of three hemispherical or conical cups, arranged in a horizontal rotor configuration around a central vertical shaft that drives a signal generation device. Cup anemometers are ostensibly adirectional i.e. they should respond identically to winds coming from different directions within the horizontal plane. Thus in terms of a standard x,y,z co-ordinate system with velocity components u, v and w, the cup anemometer is primarily designed to measure the horizontal wind speed,
Sq. (u2+v2 ),
not the magnitude of the horizontal vector.
For the w (vertical) component of wind speed, two types of ‘ideal’ sensitivity are possible:
• if a cup anemometer displays a cosine weighted sensitivity to angle of deviation of the total wind vector from the horizontal plane, then the instrument will measure purely the horizontal wind speed, i.e.
sq.(u2 + v2 ).
• if a cup anemometer is insensitive to angle of deviation of the total wind vector from the horizontal plane, then the instrument will measure total wind speed, i.e.
Sq.(u2 + v2 +w2).
For wind speed measurement above sloping terrain, or when testing wind turbines whose rotors have the ability to rock (teeter), it can be argued that the ideal cup anemometer to use is one which measures total, not horizontal wind speed, since total wind speed does indeed represent what is available for power conversion. Unfortunately, no cup anemometer currently on the market perfectly displays either type of behaviour, although this issue is being addressed. .
The issue of vertical sensitivity will be dealt with in more detail later.
Frank Clabby & Morgan Cranley installing the Urchin at the Baldonnel site

9. Data Analysis from Trials – Over One Week
Horizontal wind
27/01/

10. Data Analysis from Trials – 17th November 2015

11. Data Analysis from Trials – 17th November 2015

12. Additional Parameters Measured by Urchin
Urchin Technology can also measure:
Off-angle winds
Rate of Variability of wind

13. New Turbulence-Volume Index for Aviation
These additional parameters have enabled the development of a new Turbulence-Volume Index for Aviation
With Urchin Technology we can measure of variation in wind speed, the off-angle winds and the variation in direction; all at high frequency; to give us a more us a more details view of turbulence.
This can be scaled between zero and one.

14. Turbulence Measurement – Cup and Urchin

15. Urchin Data Compared to Aviation Reports
Aviation Report it stated that there was a severe wind warning in place at on the 17th Nov 2015.
This correlates exactly with the measurements for the Urchin but is not picked up by the cup anemometer.
In addition the Urchin picks up severe turbulence at the runway that is not recorded in the aviation reports.
This demonstrates that the Urchin can provide a superior indication of landing conditions leading to greater comfort and safety for passengers.

16. Application of Urchin to Aviation Sector
More accurate information in aviation and industry creates cost cutting efficiencies, increases human safety probability and allows man and machine to operate more harmoniously and more safely.
Extreme conditions present greater risks to human and equipment safety and security. The best technology gives human life the best chance of survival in extreme conditions.
A tragedy which happens in extreme conditions and inferior equipment is a tragedy that could have been avoided with superior equipment. Human life; human safety demands the best and Urchin is the latest technology developed.

17. 70 Milliseconds
(slowed down)

25. Acknowledgements
Enterprise Ireland and in particular David Flood for support via the EI Commercialisation Fund.
DIT Hothouse and in particular Paul Maguire for his support and guidance with commercialisation and patenting.
We would like to acknowledge Tim Gallagher of Met Éireann for his advice and encouragement with the project.
Frank Clabby and Morgan Cranley of Met Éireannf or their work on the installation and the on-going assistance with the data analysis.
Kilian Harford who supplied us with the cup anemometer data.

26. Thank You!!