Wind Energy

Offshore testing of Catch the Wind’s laser

Catch the Wind Ltd. (TSX-V: CTW.S) announced that field trial tests of the WindSentinel(TM), a wind resource assessment buoy mounted with the Company’s Vindicator(R) Laser Wind Sensor (LWS), have been successfully completed by AXYS Technologies Inc.

The field trials were conducted off of Race Rocks Island, in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada, and were designed to determine if motion affected wind measurement by comparing the data collected by the Vindicator(R) LWS on a moving WindSentinel(TM) buoy to wind data collected from a second, stationary Vindicator(R) LWS on Race Rocks Island, 750 meters away.

"The buoy worked flawlessly during the trials, with wind speeds that reached more than 80 kilometers per hour and wave heights over four meters," said Reo Phillips, Manager of AXYS product development. "We are currently analyzing the data in detail and expect a preliminary report ready for distribution early in the new year."

As announced previously, AXYS and Catch the Wind entered into an OEM distribution agreement pursuant to which AXYS was granted a license to combine and integrate the Vindicator(R) LWS with custom AXYS salt/fresh water fixed and floating platforms, and sell the bundled products worldwide.

"We are very encouraged by the results of the latest field trials, which again validate the benefits of our laser wind sensing technology," said Phil Rogers, President and CEO of Catch the Wind, Inc. "We look forward to working with AXYS Technologies and bringing the WindSentinel(TM) to market given the industry’s need to better determine the economic viability of off-shore wind energy projects before they are developed."

The WindSentinel(TM) is designed to assist offshore wind farm developers in determining the available wind resource at potential wind farm sites. It is the world’s first wind resource assessment buoy capable of accurately measuring wind data at heights of conventional offshore wind turbines. Historically, wind farm developers have had to construct permanent offshore meteorological towers or "met masts" to collect wind speed and direction data. It is estimated that offshore met masts can cost as much as U.S. $10 million to build.

To watch an online video of the WindSentinel(TM) being deployed click here:

http://www.axystechnologies.com/Library/VideoGallery/tabid/73/Default.aspx