DNV has successfully completed the first verification of a stage 3 floating LiDAR system in Latin America, assessing the performance of Fugro's Seawatch buoy, which is equipped with a Zephir ZX300M LiDAR unit. The 55-day testing period took place off the coast of Porto do Açu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The floating LiDAR unit was tested against a widely accepted onshore reference LiDAR system, evaluating its ability to measure wind and metocean data under offshore conditions. This process was crucial, as accurate wind measurements are essential for the feasibility, design, and financing of offshore wind farms.
Traditional offshore meteorological masts are often expensive and complex, highlighting the need for advanced and cost-effective alternatives like floating LiDAR systems, according to DNV. The verification demonstrated high data availability and low uncertainty in wind speed and direction measurements, confirming the system's reliability for offshore wind applications in Brazil.
The successful verification is seen as a critical step in unlocking Brazil's offshore wind potential, offering a more economical and reliable method for gathering essential data for wind farm projects in the region.
Natalia Signorelli, metocean consultancy lead at Fugro, emphasized the importance of the project. “Successfully verifying the floating LiDAR system in Brazilian waters is a significant milestone for offshore wind energy development in the region,” she said. “This collaboration with DNV has enabled us to demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of our technology, paving the way for future projects.”
Santiago Blanco, executive vice president and regional director for Latin America, energy systems at DNV, noted the significance of DNV's role in the project. “Our contribution to the floating LiDAR verification project in Brazilian waters underlines our commitment to sustainability,” Blanco stated. “We provided rigorous testing and validation, ensuring the technology's performance meets the highest standards, which is critical for advancing offshore wind energy projects in Latin America.”
