The industry’s single most validated wind lidar, ZephIR 300, will be utilised by the University of Malta to assist with degree programme course delivery and further research within the academic communities based at the university. The high-resolution 50 Hz wind data will also aid in the prospecting of coastal wind resources.

The University of Malta looks for the highest quality in all instrumentation in terms of accuracy, reliability and also technical support. The ZephIR 300 has been assessed and accepted to deliver against these strict criteria.

Following a successful tendering process, and with the support of EU funding, the University of Malta can now bring wind lidar (i.e. laser radar) to Malta for research opportunities that will benefit the whole island. And the introduction of wind lidar to Malta ensures engineers and scientists of tomorrow’s world will start their adventure with ZephIR 300 wind lidar technology as the core.

The ZephIR 300, a continuous wave (CW) wind lidar, provides high resolution measurements at an unmatched data rate of 50 Hz, with up to 50 points per second measured in the free space targeted by the sensor, and chosen by the user, anywhere from 10 m (33 ft) up to 200 m (656 ft).This type of CW wind lidar gives very accurate measurements of the wind speed, direction and other wind characteristics including Turbulence Intensity (TI). The ZephIR 300 is also the single most validated wind lidar at a consistent IEC compliant met mast site.

SFC fuel cell for ZephIR Power

In other news, ZephIR Lidar is now including the EFOY Pro 2400 direct methanol fuel cell from German-based SFC Energy in the ZephIR Power system, for sale to its wind energy customers worldwide.

The ZephIR Power is a low-cost, stand-alone power system designed specifically for the growing wind energy industry’s continuing adoption of remote sensing, specifically the ZephIR 300 wind lidar. The addition of the EFOY Pro means that the system is now capable of up to 12 months of autonomous operation.

The system will use a combination of the EFOY Pro fuel cell with 220 Ah batteries, in a modular concept that will allow customers to add a wind turbine (up to 450 W) and solar PV micro panels (up to 600 W), together with an optional battery extension pack to maximise the renewable inputs.

With a specified operating temperature range from –40°C to +50°C, the ZephIR Power is designed for the extreme conditions often encountered by remote sensors such as the ZephIR 300 wind lidar.