WindSim and 3TIER Advance Wind Resource Assessment Modeling

WindSim and 3TIER today announced the completion a joint wind resource assessment initiative that successfully demonstrates the feasibility of combining WindSim’s computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling with 3TIER’s mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) modeling in early-stage wind resource mapping and assessment efforts. This approach provides valuable insight prior to the deployment of an on-site observational measurement campaign. The companies have now formed a strategic partnership and will begin joint marketing initiatives.

"Meteorological models continue to advance and add value in wind resource assessment efforts. We’ll continue to proactively make those benefits easily accessible to WindSim users," noted Robert D. Buckley, president of WindSim AMERICAS. "The results of this joint effort prove that building a WindSim model with high-resolution wind data like 3TIER’s is a wise investment that delivers sophisticated and valuable analysis that complements on-site measurement campaigns."

Together, the researchers used 3TIER’s high-resolution FullView Wind Spatial Mapping technology to provide input data for wind flow simulations in WindSim’s CFD-based wind farm design tool (WFDT). They validated their findings with actual data confidentially provided by a wind farm developer in North America. They chose sites with different types of terrain, from moderate to complex and very challenging, to examine and compare model results. The combined approach delivered highly accurate results with significant error reduction, on the order of 50% for a site with complex terrain.

"3TIER uses high-resolution NWP simulations to provide the best possible spatial distribution of winds as an input to WindSim models," commented Dr. Jim McCaa, director of advanced applications at 3TIER. "Plus, our data provides a long-term time series that enables WindSim users to produce an accurate wind climatology for their simulations. We blended two best-of- breed modeling approaches, got positive results, and look forward to strengthening our partnership with WindSim."

3TIER also announced they will output their data in WindSim’s native .tws file format for tighter integration and a streamlined import method for WindSim’s CFD simulations.

WindSim develops and delivers advanced software solutions and professional services that help worldwide wind energy industry leaders design more profitable wind farms. WindSim, its flagship product, is a world-class software solution based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) that combines advanced numeric processing with compelling 3D visualization in a user- friendly interface. Wind resource & energy assessors, meteorologists, and researchers at wind turbine manufacturers, project developers, government agencies, and academic institutions use WindSim for wind resource assessment efforts worldwide.

Founded in 1993, WindSim is privately-held and venture-backed with offices in Norway and the United States. WindSim complements its direct operations with a worldwide partner network.

Founded in 1999, Seattle-based 3TIER is one of the largest independent providers of wind energy and hydro energy assessment and power forecasting worldwide. People around the world turn to 3TIER when they want the best scientific information to make decisions about renewable energy projects — from the prospecting stage to operations.

www.3TIER.com

www.windsim.com