QinetiQ and Vestas unveil radar mitigating wind turbine
Greenwise Staff
22nd October 2009
Just days after the Government announced new research into radar interference with wind turbines, defence firm Qinetic and wind turbine manufacturer Vestas have announced the successful testing of a new technology to combat the problem.
The two companies have been developing the ‘Stealth Turbine’ over the past five years and said today the technology had been shown to work in a trial at a wind farm in Norfolk using a jointly designed 44-metre prototype turbine blade manufactured by Vestas.
Radar interference is one of the main causes of wind planning applications being rejected or withdrawn in the UK. Wind turbines are detected on radar displays and can be a distraction for air traffic controllers. Aviation objections are said to be currently holding up over five gigawatts (GW) of wind energy in the planning system and a further 5.5 GW in early stages of development.
In a statement, today, QinetiQ said the ‘Stealth Turbine’ could have “a revolutionary impact on wind farm planning in both the UK and the rest of the world”.
The technology works by significantly reducing the size of the radar signature made by individual turbines to the point where they can be effectively ‘factored out’ of air traffic control and air defence systems. It does this by integrating into the manufacturing processes of turbine components radar absorbing materials (RAM) designed to operate at aviation and maritime frequencies. These include modified composites for nacelle and blades, and sprayable RAM coatings that can be applied directly onto the tower and other static surfaces.
“We believe that Stealth Turbine technology could be a genuine game-changer for the renewable energy industry by removing a major barrier to its development,” said Mark Roberts, strategic business director for Energy and Environment at QinetiQ. “Our long-standing involvement in the development of stealth techniques for ships and aircraft has enabled us to quickly, seamlessly and cost-effectively transfer this expertise to the renewable energy market.”
The technology does not, however, address all the problems presented by radar interference, hence, the UK Government’s announcement earlier this week that it was embarking on a 19 month-long research and development programme on the NATS En Route primary radar infrastructure, working with Raytheon Canada, the suppliers of the NATS systems.
The project is being supported by £5.15 million of funding – £1.6 million from wind companies (through the Aviation Investment Fund Company), £2 million from the Crown Estate and £1.55 million from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC).