University of Salford - The data are blowing in the wind

A device to ensure that wind farms are maximising their potential is being developed by researchers at the University of Salford. Currently, wind and potential power at a proposed site are measured using wind-speed sensors on tall masts, but these are expensive and do not take into account variations in wind caused by local terrain and atmospheric turbulence. The Salford team plan to use acoustic radar called SODAR to overcome these barriers by providing more accurate data and eliminating the requirement for a physical structure. Dr Sabine von Hunerbein, of the School of Computing, Science and Engineering, is leading the £330,000 project.