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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Oldenburg/Bremerhaven - The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES has put an innovative wind radar system into operation that enables three-dimensional wind field measurements at unprecedented distances and resolution. The so-called Dual Doppler Wind Radar, consisting of two synchronously operating radar units, was set up near the DLR research wind farm WiValdi in the district of Stade in Lower Saxony and has been delivering measurement data for the first time since the beginning of June.
The radar system was developed and built by the company SmartWind Technologies from Texas, USA. As part of the "Wind farm RADAR" project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, the radar system is being scientifically validated for the first time by the Fraunhofer IWES in collaboration with ForWind - Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg. The aim is to make this fundamentally new technology for wind field measurements usable for the wind industry and to offer it as a service for planners and operators in the long term. The project has the potential to fundamentally revolutionize the understanding of wind flows in and around wind farms.
The aim is to establish dual Doppler wind radar technology as a new measurement technique in view of the increasing demands on electricity generation from renewable sources. It could provide crucial data for site assessment and optimization of wind farms. The radar system could be used both during the planning phase and parallel to the operation of existing wind farms.
The system measures wind conditions over an area of more than 1000 square kilometers and provides a unique information base for wind farm operators, investors and planners. It records several million wind measurements every two minutes with a range of 35 kilometers and depths that reach through the rotor sweep upward into the lower atmosphere. This measurement technology therefore has the potential to reduce investment risks and determine the performance curves of all wind turbines in a wind farm simultaneously. Such data sets are also of interest to scientists in order to validate new models for wind field modelling for the industry and to develop methods for optimizing wind farm control.
"With our system, the wind industry can analyze wind fields in greater detail than ever before. This brings us a big step closer to achieving climate targets and an independent energy supply," explains Dr. Jan Diettrich, project manager of the Wind Farm RADAR project at Fraunhofer IWES.
The wind radar system is based on the dual Doppler principle: two radar stations, each equipped with a four-meter radar dish, emit electromagnetic pulses which reflect off particles in the air. The characteristics of the reflected energy from each radar is then subsequently analyzed and merged to determine the exact wind speed - in three dimensions over the entire area under investigation. Among other things, the data obtained provides insights into load distribution on wind turbines. Furthermore, turbulence and wake effects can be measured and determined, which is of fundamental importance for the installation of turbines in wind farms.
Continuous, accurate measurement data
The dual Doppler radar went into operation at the beginning of June 2025 and has been providing measurements on wind direction and turbulence every two minutes ever since. Other instruments have also been installed, such as a lidar measuring device (wind measurement by laser) and a disdrometer for measuring rain intensity and raindrop size. All data will be used in this research project to verify and validate the radar measurements.
"The dual Doppler wind radar system marks a significant advance in wind energy research. The project enables us to validate the measurement data and use the findings to create new possibilities for optimizing wind farms," says Prof. Dr. Martin Kühn from ForWind - University of Oldenburg.
Further projects planned
Once the measurements in Germany have been completed, an offshore measurement campaign is planned in England. In future, the Fraunhofer IWES will offer corresponding measurement services with the Dual Doppler Radar. This includes not only the provision of the necessary equipment, but also the development and application of strategies and methods for optimal measurement, data analysis and interpretation, as well as the validation and verification of the results obtained.
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Fraunhofer IWES
The Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES conducts application-oriented research for a sustainable future. The focus topics of the Fraunhofer IWES are offshore, hydrogen, test infrastructure and digitalization. The research work in these future-oriented key technologies plays a central role in the innovation process and strengthens the business location for the benefit of our society by transferring the research results to industry. More than 400 employees at nine locations are developing innovative methods to accelerate the expansion of the wind energy and hydrogen economy, minimize risks, and increase cost efficiency.
ForWind
ForWind bundles the wind energy research in northwest Germany and links 30 institutes and working groups at the universities of Oldenburg, Hannover, and Bremen. ForWind thus forms a research network which is one of a kind in Germany and covers a wide spectrum of scientific topics. Its research focuses are in the fields of engineering, physics and meteorology, computer science, and economics.
SmartWind
SmartWind Technologies is a technology development and service company specializing in providing radar-hardware, software and knowledge to measure and analyze complex wind flows in the lower atmosphere.
Contact partner at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES
Project coordination
Dr. Jan Diettrich
Phone: +49 471 14290 355
E-mail: jan.diettrich@iwes.fraunhofer.de
The Dual Doppler Wind Radar measures the wind speed near Krummendeich in the district of Stade.
Copyright: © Fraunhofer IWES/Jan Diettrich
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Energie, Meer / Klima, Umwelt / Ökologie
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The Dual Doppler Wind Radar measures the wind speed near Krummendeich in the district of Stade.
Copyright: © Fraunhofer IWES/Jan Diettrich
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