Wind flow characteristics from ship-borne lidar measurements in support of Wind Energy research

The paper presents results related to wind industry issues such as distributions of wind speed and direction at rotor heights, and low-level jet (LLJ) nocturnal evolution obtained from the High Resolution Doppler Lidar (HRDL) measurements made from a ship-based platform during the New England Air Quality Study in the summer of 2004.

Detailed analysis of data from prior year experiments was motivated by requirements for accurate data on wind flow characteristics from the surface up to several hundred meters to support assessments of wind resources in the area off the New England Coast, proposed for development of wind farms in the near future.

Expected results will play a role in better understanding of spatial and temporal variability of wind flow characteristics responsible for mixing and transport processes in the offshore boundary layer that may be difficult to capture with other instruments. Obtained results can be used to validate numerical models, support satellite estimates of wind resources, and supplement developing offshore wind-resource maps.