Site suitability of wind turbines
Our experienced experts prepare expert reports on the site suitability of wind turbines. For all wind turbines at any location, no matter how turbulent.
Specialists from the very beginning
As wind energy experts from the very beginning, we have decades of practical experience. Our specialists have developed methods that are used for the site suitability of wind turbines.
Our experienced employees regularly take part in meetings of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). We consult and support well-known utility companies, international wind turbine manufacturers, medium-sized wind farm operators and private individuals alike. Our expertise results from more than 1,000 projects per year.
Our reports fully fulfil the requirements of the relevant guidelines. In Germany, the guidelines for wind turbines issued by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) currently apply.
Conditions
Neighbouring wind turbines influence the turbulence of each site, so these must be investigated. For typical coastal sites, this applies if the distance to the neighbouring wind turbine is five or less rotor diameters. For typical inland locations, if the distance is eight or less rotor diameters. Other wind conditions, including extreme wind events, must also be taken into account.
Realisation
How is the wind farm configured? What wind conditions prevail at the site? In a site suitability report, the existing type approval for each wind turbine is compared with the specific conditions at its individual site.
Advantages of our expert reports
Complex satellite data
Do you lack measurement data for environmental turbulence? For most European countries, we analyse the ambient turbulence intensity on the basis of satellite data on land use and orography and on the basis of map material. An individual calculation for each wind turbine allows precise statements to be made, especially for larger wind farms.
Precise location analysis
Is the operation of your wind turbines subject to operating restrictions? Cut-off regulations and curtailments for individual wind turbines apply at certain locations. We can take these into account individually in our calculations or make suggestions.
In-depth calculations
Is your site subject to extreme or complex wind conditions? We can take into account measurement data on wind conditions for any wind turbine site - in addition to satellite data. This enables us to make precise statements on site suitability in complex terrain, for example.
The DIBt guideline for wind turbines from 2012 requires further proof.
Create your own calculation
With wake2e you can check and calculate every wind turbine location in wind farms.
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We use our expertise to prepare calculations and expert reports for every planning step.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an expert opinion on site suitability if it is a single wind turbine?
Yes, the site suitability report is required to obtain planning permission. It is, so to speak, a legal component of a building permit. Under German law, the site suitability of a wind turbine as stated by the manufacturer must be checked by an independent expert and confirmed in a legally binding manner.
What documents are required?
The client shall provide the necessary documents in writing or preferably electronically. Necessary input data are
- Consistent coordinates (UTM WGS84 system or similar) of all wind turbines to be taken into account. The wind turbines to be considered are
- the planned wind turbines,
- existing WTGs within a radius of 8D of the planning,
- other WTGs that are closer than 10D to the WTGs in accordance with bullet points 1 and 2 (for simplification, a radius of 1.5km can also be assumed here)
- respective WTG type, rated power and hub height, existing operating restrictions or shutdown regulations
- Data on the (long-term corrected) frequency distribution of the wind including Weibull parameters at the hub height of the respective WTG
- Report and documentation of a site survey, if applicable
- If applicable, documents on type or site-specific approval, year of construction
When is a site survey mandatory?
According to DIBt guidelines from 2012, a site survey is required to prove the site suitability of a wind turbine.
What is done during a site survey in the context of a site suitability assessment?
During this type of site survey, all potentially relevant structures are recorded and documented in a report. Potentially relevant structures are, for example, buildings, quarries, forest edges or other structures of a certain size that trigger turbulence that may influence the wind turbines to be considered.
Who can carry out a site survey for a site suitability assessment?
Anyone who is sufficiently trained and can document the site survey in a legally binding report.
There are several options for implementation:
- An F2E employee carries out the site inspection and prepares a quotable report. We then make the necessary assessment on the basis of this report. In order to minimise costs and travel times, we can rely on several employees distributed throughout Germany.
- You or a third party commissioned by you carries out the site inspection and provides us with a report that can be quoted. We then make the necessary assessment on the basis of this report.
- A wind or energy yield expert who has already inspected the site makes the necessary statements for our calculations in the form of a quotable report.
We will be happy to send you the requirements for the documentation of a site survey.
