Fulcrum3D

Product Options

The Fulcrum3D Sodar is more flexible than a Met Mast, and lower cost than a Lidar. The Fulcrum3D Sodar provides data on wind conditions including wind speed, wind direction, wind speed vector standard deviation and inflow angle (related to vertical wind speed). Data from optional sensors such as temperature, humidity, pressure, solar radiation etc. is also provided.

Fulcrum3D Sodar is the best priced Sodar on the market. The flexibility of the Fulcrum3D Sodar and its optional equipment adds significant value to your development, operational performance or other applications.

Fulcrum3D Sodar Base Function

ALL Fulcrum3D Sodar packages include these base functionalities

  • 3D wind data (speed, direction and inflow angle) from 40m to 200m in 10m range bins
  • Vaisala HMP60 (temperature, humidity) sensor, upgradable to WXT520 multi-weather sensor
  • GPS for security, tracking and geofencing
  • Solar power supply and remote communications (GSM 3G/4G, satellite optional)
  • Flightdeck access to all data – remote and 24/7

SodarF3D Cold 
Climate Package

Suitable for mild winters where average temperatures are below zero, but snow is uncommon and good solar energy input is available.

  • Base function elements as detailed above
  • Insulated and temperature regulated enclosure for batteries and power conversion electronics
  • Battery heaters ensure operation in cold temperatures
  • Snow and frost clearing by direct and indirect heating of the sonic reflector panels
  • Standard 110/230V power connections (for external mains power or diesel generator) and fuel cell options

Solar and Weather Sensors

Our standard hardware can be expanded to include additional solar and weather sensors.

  • Pyranometers
  • Pyrheliometers
  • Rain sensors
  • Pressure sensors
  • Wind sensors

45W Fuel Cell (optional)

  • Recommended where solar input levels are low, frost levels likely to be high, or limited snow melting may be required
  • Upgrades cold climate package with EFOY Pro 800 Duo Fuel Cell complete with 4x28L M28 Methanol Cartridges
  • Provides 45W of electric power and 150W heating capacity for thermal management and limited snow melting

110W Fuel Cell (optional)

  • Recommended where snow melting is likely to be required for an extended period, or average temperatures are below -20 deg C
  • Upgrades cold climate package with EFOY Pro 2400 Duo Fuel Cell complete with 4x28l M28 Methanol Cartridges
  • Provides 110W of electric power and 350W heating capacity for thermal management and limited snow melting

Benefits

1
Fulcrum3D Sodar delivers precise, validated and bankable wind data

Validation by DNV-GL, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Entura.

DNV GL accepts Fulcrum3D Sodar data in bankable wind energy assessments on benign sites.

2
Flexible and simple

Generally does not require a planning permit to install,  enabling more data captured and faster. The easily portable unit allows monitoring at a number of locations around your site to significantly reduce uncertainty.

3
Terrain flexible

Performs well in complex and simple terrain and housed in a robust, portable unit.

4
Cost effective and efficient deployment

More flexible than a Met Mast, lower cost than a Lidar. Significantly cheaper than a Hub Height Mast – in some cases half the cost.

5
24/7 online access to your data, manage your equipment

FlightDECK™ collects, stores and verifies your data for secure, fast download for self managed equipment locations and configurations.

6
Full data traceability

Incorporates fully traceable data architecture, sending all raw sound spectrum data to the Fulcrum3D servers for off-site processing while saved in secure back-up storage.

Applications

The Fulcrum3D Sodar is the best system to provide high quality wind data for a variety of applications, for example:

Resource assessment – prospecting for sites and proving wind resource;

Power curve verification – confirming turbine performance in a variety of wind conditions;

Performance monitoring – maximise the long term performance of your asset;

Wind forecasting – for energy sales or optimising network integration.

Site prospecting

  • Eliminate poor sites and identify the most viable sites with confidence
  • Fulcrum3D Sodar can be easily moved between different site prospects for wind or background noise assessments
  • Relocation only takes a few hours and requires no additional expenditure
  • No planning approvals are needed
  • Avoid the cost of expensive Met Masts

Site yield assessment

  • Accepted by DNV GL for use in bankable energy yield assessments
  • Use on a stand-alone basis
  • Supplement an existing Met Mast to provide additional measurement locations on site
  • Particularly useful for short term “infill” campaigns to take additional measurements near existing Met Masts

Wind shear verification

  • Fulcrum3D Sodar measures across the ENTIRE wind turbine area significantly reducing uncertainty and improving potential financing and project returns
  • Most Met Masts cover less than half the wind turbine swept area, leading to a significant decrease in yield certainty
  • Extend measurements above Met Masts with side by side comparisons, while independently confirming Met Mast accuracy 

Site suitability and inflow angle measurement

  • Fulcrum3D Sodar directly measures inflow angles in both simple and complex terrain
  • In complex terrain, wind turbines can experience significant inflow angles which are not measured using traditional anemometry
  • This has a significant effect on turbine yield and turbine life

Reliability assessment

  • Directly measure wind regime across a turbine to understand long term reliability and causes of regular failures
  • Analyse the forces impacting the turbine by measuring wind inflow angles across the entire rotor swept area
  • Results can be used to adjust operating modes under challenging wind conditions to reduce repair and maintenance costs

Power curve performance testing

  • Full testing as Fulcrum3D Sodar allows EVERY turbine to be tested ensuring that the entire wind farm meets performance requirements
  • This allows operators to secure compensation for under-performing turbines
  • Unlike Met Masts where the cost of installation means power curve performance testing is rarely carried out on all turbines