Wind Farms

To optimise the design of a new wind farm, ( onshore or offshore ) it is essential to have a good terrain (or sea bed ) model. An aerial lidar survey is ideal for the land based wind farm planning, in shallow waters bathymetric lidar can penetrate to the sea bed.

Our terrain analysis software can provide slope analysis, earthworks volumes, contour maps and more. This will ensure selection of the most appropriate turbines, that the turbines are placed in the best possible locations to maximise wind energy production, minimise capital and operating, whilst working within the natural terrain of the site. Access routes for construction and maintenance, hub / substation location and powerlines for grid connection can also be designed to minimise visual impact and optimise cut and fill operations.

Merrett Surveys can also provide 3D visualisation by adding your designed wind turbine locations into a photo realistic 3D environment to look at sight lines from visually sensitive locations, and the overall environmental impact. The digital terrain model and aerial imagery will assist greatly as a base plan for the EIA environmental impact assessment. Shadow flicker analysis can also be carried out using the data in order to aid in planning.

We are also able to provide terrestrial laser scanning for detailed surveying of access routes and obstacles for getting turbine parts to site. We can carry out terrestrial laser scan inspections of wind turbine blades and aerospace assemblies.

Wind power generation is expanding rapidly worldwide and your wind based energy project will be off to the best start with high accuracy mapping and terrain modelling from Merrett Surveys. We work worldwide.