Wind Measurement Technology in Wind EnergyPrecise Collection of Wind Data Throughout the Entire Project Lifecycle

Optimized wind measurement technology for wind energy

Wind data forms the foundation for the development, planning, and operation of modern wind turbines. Years before a wind farm is constructed, this data determines the quality of the site assessment and the project’s future economic viability. During turbine operation, wind data also supports nacelle control (yaw and pitch control), power optimization, and safe operation.The requirements for wind measurement technology vary significantly depending on the phase in a wind turbine’s life cycle. The focus is either on long-term stable, standards-compliant measurement data for site assessment or on robust, stable real-time data for turbine control.

Optimized wind measurement technology for wind turbines

Precision and reliability in site assessment and turbine control - Thies Clima has been a leading provider of high-precision wind measurement technology for 80 years, providing the basis for successful wind power planning and operation. Our measurement devices support you in both site assessment and turbine control to ensure maximum efficiency and operational reliability of your wind power projects. With products that meet international standards, we offer solutions that are not only accurate, but also durable and easy to maintain.

‎Site assessment

Wind Measurements as the basis for bankable data and site analysis
The quality of a wind farm is largely determined during the early project phase. Highly precise and long-term stable wind measurements are required for site assessment, yield forecasts, and the preparation of bankable reports (bankable data). To collect such data, measurement towers and systems are used that provide reliable data over an extended period.

These measurements form the basis for:

‎Site assessments and wind farm development
Energy yield calculations
Investment and financing decisions (bankable assessments)
Comparison and evaluation of potential sites
Long-term wind measurement campaigns

The focus is on the reproducible and standards-compliant recording of wind conditions over periods ranging from months to years, in order to provide a solid basis for decision-making for project developers, operators, and investors.

First Class anemometers set global standards in this field. They are considered the established benchmark in wind measurement technology and provide standards-compliant, high-precision measurement data on wind speed and direction. As such, they meet the key requirements of consultants, certifiers, and financing institutions (IEC/MEASNET-compliant).

First Class anemometers set global standards in this field. They are considered the established benchmark in wind measurement technology and provide standards-compliant, high-precision measurement data on wind speed and direction. As such, they meet the key requirements of consultants, certifiers, and financing institutions (IEC/MEASNET-compliant).

Unlike ultrasonic systems, the measurement is based on a mechanical measurement principle that has been established over decades in applications compliant with industry standards. These systems are considered the gold standard in wind measurement technology and are used in particular for:

Site assessment and wind measurement campaigns
IEC-compliant measurements and reports
Comparative and reference measurements
Quality assurance in measurement networks
Meteorological applications

Thanks to their long-term validation and high accuracy, First Class sensors frequently serve as a benchmark for evaluating other measurement systems. We are proud to offer the First Class series as an established benchmark in wind measurement technology, thereby contributing to reliable, standards-compliant wind measurement data in the industry.

More Details: First Class

Turbine control (yaw & pitch control)

Stable Wind Direction Data Under Real-World Turbine Conditions
Wind measurement sensors used on wind turbines operate directly within the region of turbulence and wake structures behind the rotor. Not every short-term fluctuation is relevant for turbine control. Rather, stable and representative measurement of the average wind direction is crucial as the basis for efficient control decisions. Even slight deviations in direction can affect a turbine’s energy yield and control behavior.

Wind Measurement Technology and Signal Behavior: Depending on the measurement principle, wind measurement systems differ in terms of dynamics, reproducibility, and behavior in turbulent flow fields. Physical effects such as local turbulence structures, terrain influences, or wake effects directly affect the measurement signal and influence its stability. An important aspect of modern wind measurement technology is therefore the way in which flow information is captured and processed—at specific points or through spatial integration along a measurement path.‎

Spatial path averaging

The principle of spatial path averaging does not measure a single point in the flow, but rather integrates the wind along a defined measurement path over a spatial path. As a result, local microturbulences contribute only proportionally to the overall signal, since they affect only a portion of the measurement path. The resulting measurement signal provides a more stable and representative representation of the average flow.

Influence of Measurement Path Length: In such measurement systems, the effect of spatial integration depends significantly on the geometric design of the measurement path:

‎Shorter measurement paths are more sensitive to local flow fluctuations
Longer measurement paths integrate multiple flow components and result in a more stable output signal

Implications for wind measurement technology: Whether in the early project phase of site assessment or during later turbine operation, the requirements for wind measurement systems differ significantly. While long-term accuracy and compliance with standards are paramount in site assessment, signal stability under turbulent flow conditions is particularly important for turbine control.

Thies CLIMA wind sensors

The wind sensors are designed for applications requiring wear-free, dynamic, and consistently reproducible measurement of wind speed and wind direction, e.g. ultrasonic anemometer:

A key design feature is the configuration of the measurement paths at 200 mm (Compact) and 135 mm (2D). This structure facilitates the spatial integration of the flow along defined measurement paths and contributes to a stable measurement signal even under turbulent conditions. As a result, these systems are suitable for both site assessment applications and wind farm operations, particularly where robust and reproducible wind data are required.
More details: Ultrasonic wind sensors

For over 80 years, Thies CLIMA has been synonymous with precise measurement solutions in meteorology and wind measurement technology. With our sensors and systems, we support projects worldwide in site evaluation, plant operations, and meteorological research.

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