18.04.2019
PKN ORLEN analyses wind conditions in Baltic Sea
The ORLEN Group’s Baltic Power is analysing environmental and wind conditions within the area covered by its licence in the Baltic Sea. For this purpose, a laser measuring device (floating buoy lidar) was anchored in the central part of the licence area, at a longitude close to that of the Stilo lighthouse, about 30km north off the coast of Poland. The lidar will be collecting data that will help PKN ORLEN assess the potential of its planned wind power project.
“As one of Poland’s largest electricity producers, we are constantly seeking new growth paths in that sector. Offshore wind farms in the Baltic can be a very promising source of clean energy, consistent with our strategy to become involved in low-emission power generation. Data collected in accordance with Carbon Trust’s international recommendations will help us assess the project’s potential, but can also be relied on by financial institutions when deciding whether to provide funding for the project,” said Jarosław Dybowski, Executive Director for Energy at PKN ORLEN.
The ORLEN Group holds a licence in the Baltic Sea under which it can build an offshore wind farm with a capacity of up to 1,200 MW. To assess its potential, for the next several months it will be measuring such wind parameters as speed, direction, strength and turbulences. The floating buoy lidar records laser beams reflected off of air particles, so that it is able to measure wind parameters at different heights, up to 300m above the sea level.
The device can also measure such parameters as air temperature and humidity, atmospheric pressure, temperature, electrolytic conductivity, water flow directions and waves. It is powered by fuel cells using ethanol and photovoltaic cells. There are only about 70 such technologically advanced measuring devices deployed globally.
