TGS deploys first LiDAR wind measurement buoy offshore Norway

TGS has deployed the first-ever LiDAR buoy measurement campaign to support Norwegian offshore wind development.

The buoy has been deployed in the Utsira Nord zone, using sensors to conduct wind, metocean, and environmental measurements to enhance decision-making for the three floating wind project areas to be awarded in Norway’s first floating wind lease round. Data is available on a multi-client basis.

Terje Aasland, Norway’s oil and energy minister said: ‘This is a good example of how we have picked up pace in offshore wind development and that the consortia have started concrete activities.’

Jan Schoolmeesters, EVP of Digital Energy Solutions at TGS, added: ‘Our multi-client floating LiDAR buoy deployments enhance the decision-making ability of all stakeholders investing in this region’s offshore wind development future, and this is proven by significant interest and commitment from Utsira Nord wind consortia.’

The TGS buoy is equipped to provide an extensive range of data throughout a 12-month measurement campaign, with the possibility of extending for an extra year. Alongside measuring wind speeds, the data package encompasses metocean and environmental information, encompassing significant wave heights, profiles of ocean currents, and acoustic surveillance of birds and bats.

Data is continuously streamed, quality-controlled, and made available to customers on a daily basis through the Wind AXIOM platform, a site evaluation and wind data analytics tool allowing stakeholders to analyse the most influential factors impacting their offshore wind projects.

Utsira Nord marks the sixth global deployment of TGS’ multi-client floating LiDARs over the past 12 months, but is the first aimed at floating wind development, being situated in approximately 270 m of water depth. The previous five buoys are active off the US East Coast. TGS said it is planning additional deployments in offshore wind markets globally.

The project follows the announcement of the first offshore wind tenders as part of Norway’s ambition of allocating lease areas with an installed capacity of 30GW by 2040. The government will announce the lease winner for Utsira Nord floating wind lease zone and the Sørlige Nordsjø fixed foundation lease area by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, TGS has added Unexploded Ordnance analysis to the Central Atlantic Call Areas covered by Wind AXIOM. Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) and remnants from military activity represent significant HSE and cost risks to the development of offshore wind farms and are routinely assessed as part of a wind farm site assessment.