Accurate calibrations – essential for the wind industry
Wind turbines are designed to operate within a specific range of wind speeds, from the cut-in speed – the point at which the wind turbine is able to generate power, to the cut-out speed – when the turbine must be shut down to avoid damage. When maximum rated speed is reached, the power output will increase cubically with wind speed. For example, if wind speed doubles, the power output will increase eight times.
As the cut-in and cut-out speeds dictate the turbine design and size, they are decided prior to construction so accurate anemometer calibrations are critical. Any errors will be manifested in cubic form in the estimated or calculated energy of a proposed or actual wind farm. This cubic relationship is what makes precision measurements such important factors for wind power.
The Southern Hemisphere’s only NATA and MEASNET accredited calibration centre
The Acoem wind tunnel was custom designed by the CSIRO to accurately calibrate wind speed and direction sensors. It is also the only NATA / ISO 17025 accredited wind tunnel for the calibration of all types of anemometers in Australia.
Routine maintenance and calibration of all sensors is vital in maintaining accuracy. Acoem designs, installs, calibrates and maintains a wide variety of meteorological instruments, ranging from the humble cup and vane wind speed and wind direction sensors to more sophisticated Sodar and LIDAR-based installations.
Acoem Australasia maintenance and calibration customers include key environmental protection authorities (EPAs); HVAC and construction companies; the mining industry; environmental researchers; and other businesses.
For more information about Acoem Australasia’s MEASNET and NATA-accredited wind energy sensor calibration, please contact us.