A wind resource assessment campaign represents the first step in wind energy project success. On site measurement from meteorological towers or ground-based remote sensing units provide the data that can be used to help characterize a project’s wind resource and its expected future electricity production. Wind resource measurement campaigns therefore determine the future of wind projects. It is therefore absolutely critical that on site measurement equipment is installed correctly, well documented, and properly maintained so that uncertainty in expected future energy production is minimized.
Harness Energy is an experienced measurement service provider that approaches every project, large or small, with careful planning and rigor. Our expertise covers a wide variety of measurement equipment models and manufacturers. We offer a complete suite of services related to wind resource testing—from site permitting, installation, and maintenance to decommissioning. Over the years we have evolved along with the industry and expanded our service offering to include services that go beyond project development. Harness Energy is proud to offer measurement services related to the power performance testing of wind turbines, operational reference measurements (permanent met masts), and wind power forecasting.
Met Tower installation
Permanent Towers
Tilt-Up Towers
Meteorological Towers:
Meteorological (met) towers represent the standard for wind resource measurement. Harness Energy installs, maintains, and decommissions a wide variety of met towers up to 100 meters in height. Our experienced field teams work with temporary tilt-up development mets up to 80m in height, as well as more permanent guyed or self-supported lattice structures. Harness Energy is able to permit, install, and commission whatever type of towers with whatever sensor configuration your project requires.
Harness Energy field technicians understand the how and why of wind sensor installation. Our technicians are trained to install equipment to enhance sensor stability and performance, and to avoid untimely sensor failure and degradation. We implement best practices and perform them with rigor. Harness Energy has continually grown as an organization and managed to develop and maintain strong relationships. We have gained and retained the most demanding developers and consultants in the industry as clients, precisely because we have stringent standards for ourselves.
Remote Sensing:
A newer arrival to wind resource assessment, remote sensing is a powerful tool that Harness Energy has been involved with since its inception. Used in combination with meteorological (met) towers, remote sensing units are proven to reduce uncertainty and enhance project development and operational monitoring. Our technicians are experienced with both LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) and SoDAR (Sonic Detection And Ranging) units, including the WINDCUBE v2 by NRG Systems and the Triton Sonic Profiler by Vaisala. These ground based machines both measure frequency shifts caused by the motion of the atmosphere. LiDARs do this using lasers, whereas SoDARs use an acoustic pulse. Both LiDAR and SoDAR are generally used for characterizing the wind resource above the height of conventional met towers (across the entire turbine rotor), and have the advantage of being mobile.
Harness Energy technicians are trained to deploy, transport, and decommission remote sensing units in all types of terrain and conditions. All team members know the importance of stable, secure, and level mounting, as well as how to properly position units to avoid interference from fixed objects on site. Our team is able to customize a remote sensing measurement campaign service package to fit your needs. We are experienced with platform and trailer design for both LiDAR and SoDAR, as wells as remote photovoltaic power supply design for LiDAR. Harness Energy designs, builds, and delivers to site, intuitive well-balanced and customized power supply trailers for LiDAR. The future is bright for remote sensing and our team takes pride in leading the way. We are working alongside the top developers, research institutions and wind energy developers to continually refine and advance best practices in remote sensing field service.