Vestas InteliLight® launches in the U.S.

Replacing Vestas’ Obstacle Collision Avoidance System (OCAS) and now available in Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden and the U.S., InteliLight® delivers reliable activation of aviation lights when needed, avoiding continuous lighting. Vestas is pleased to announce that InteliLight®, its active aviation light management solution for wind turbines, has demonstrated performance to FAA standards and is ready for use in the U.S. The approval follows authority approval in Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

Using radars with a minimum range of eight kilometers, InteliLight® is an expanded product solution replacing OCAS that scans a wind park’s surrounding areas. If an approaching airplane is detected, its distance, speed, and heading are tracked and aviation lights are activated only when needed. If activated, the lights are switched off once the aircraft has cleared the necessary designated space.  Combining aircraft detection and aviation light control, the system provides end-to-end aviation safety for wind parks.

As many North American regions increase requirements around aviation light management systems, the ability to install and immediately integrate the system into new and existing turbines and projects is becoming critical. Vestas InteliLight® is now the only Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) integrated directly into the turbine equipment and designed specifically for wind project application.

Erik Meum, Head of plant radar systems at Vestas, said “InteliLight® was especially designed for wind parks, and integrates into the Vestas’ portfolio of products, systems, and siting tools, minimising both permitting requirements and installation efforts on both new and existing projects. The system’s smart activation means that aviation lights stay off an average 98% of the time, which makes InteliLight® an industry-leading, safe and effective solution”.

With more than 10 years combined operational experience, InteliLight® and its predecessor OCAS are proven in multiple markets and various terrains. Vestas has installed InteliLight® or OCAS on 853 MWs, and is currently deploying InteliLight® systems on around 330 MW of projects in the U.S and Germany.