Batteries now included with wind monitoring systems

The renewables arm of energy giant Npower is due to complete the construction of two zero carbon wind monitoring systems later this month, designed to make it easier for the company to maximise the energy generated by its turbines.

The new monitoring systems will be used to measure wind speeds and directions at the full range of possible wind turbine heights at a number of different potential wind farm locations.

Like the wind farm developments they are designed to support the new systems will also rely on renewable power, utilising solar panels to charge up two 12 volt methanol fuel cells.

Stewart Kirby, Anemometry Analyst at npower renewables, said that as well as resulting in no carbon emissions the new fuel cells, which have been developed by engineering firm UPS Systems, would also help ensure that the new testing equipment can be installed at remote wind farm locations.

"We need to be able to move the wind monitoring equipment quickly and easily between locations and the fuel cells allow us to do this," he said.

Kirby added that the improved testing equipment will also help the company better ensure that proposed wind farms deliver expected levels of energy capacity.

"Ultimately the new system will enable us to further optimise wind farm layout designs and performance modelling for potential wind farm sites in the UK," he said.