In Lidar Knowledge Europe (LIKE) we have set the ambition to train 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) to become the future technology leaders in academia and industry within the use of lidars for wind measurement. Lidar measurement is an emerging field with significant disruptive potential within renewable energy. To deliver on this potential have focused on a combination of technological skills and insight, scientific excellence and in depth knowledge of applying digitalisation to wind measurements.
LIKE was structured to enable the 15 ESRs to acquire this combination of technological, scientific and digitalisation competences and knowledge to spearhead the disruption. Combined with core transferable skills such as business plan development and entrepreneurship, communication and IPR management, managerial skills and cultural understanding, LIKE has enabled these future technology leaders to understand and act in their role in the knowledge and technology workflow required to apply Lidar measurements technologies to wind.
The ESRs was taught, mentored and supported by a truly world-class interdisciplinary, inter-sectoral and international team of leading scientists, SME technology leaders and specialists in major companies. Through a well-organised and innovative training programme, LIKE exposed the ESRs to academic excellence, SME application-driven work flows and the business context of leading European manufacturers and wind energy developers.
The research objective achieved were to develop wind lidar techniques for wind energy and wind engineering. Lidars at the ground and at satellite for better tracing of winds globally for wind resource mapping and wind forecasting for commercial application were achieved. We innovated on offshore floating lidar from pre-commercial to fully commercial status and support new lidar-assisted wind turbine control. This has commercial value for extending turbine lifetime and increasing energy production. Lidars were used to assess the turbine power performance in challenging conditions was investigated. Design criteria for construction of long suspension bridges and airport safety was covered using lidars in the field and in wind tunnels.
