AXYS Technologies Inc. has completed pre-commissioning of a WindSentinel platform for the United States Navy project to validate an offshore floating LiDAR wind resource assessment system.

AXYS teamed up with Sound & Sea Technology as well as DNV GL to secure the US Navy contract and supply the system. The LiDAR underwent an initial six month side by side testing process overseen by DNV GL in 2013. Upon passing this test the LiDAR was integrated onto the WindSentinel platform.

AXYS and SST personnel assisted in the commissioning of the WindSentinel platform the week of May 12th in Port Hueneme, California. The WindSentinel is now ready for deployment and waiting the final deployment location to be determined by the US Navy.

AXYS supplied the WindSentinel floating LiDAR system, which accurately measures offshore wind speed and direction up to the blade-tip heights of 200m. The WindSentinel has recorded a number of world firsts, including the first commercial deployment and the most remote LiDAR offshore wind resource assessment ever conducted, 36 miles offshore.

Sound & Sea Technology will provide overall management of the program, coordination with the Navy, ocean engineering expertise, environmental planning and installation support.

DNV GL will provide an independent evaluation of the validity of the floating LiDAR system by identifying measurement requirements and metrics to qualify the system for use in wind power development. These metrics will be adapted from DNV GL’s recommended practice for validating LIDAR measurements, “DNV Sodar and Lidar Guidelines.”