Posters

Abstract

Floating LiDAR systems have become an essential tool for offshore wind resource assessment. However, the development and validation of such systems, particularly with respect to motion compensation, turbulence reconstruction, and system reliability, still rely largely on offshore test campaigns. These campaigns are associated with high costs, long preparation times, and limited flexibility, which can significantly slow down innovation cycles in early development phases. This contribution presents a novel mobile onshore test stand for floating LiDAR systems that enables realistic and repeatable testing under controlled conditions, representing an innovative measurement solution for pre-validation prior to offshore deployment. The test stand was developed at Stuttgart Wind Energy (SWE), University of Stuttgart, and combines a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform with real wind measurements in an open-field environment. The motion platform is capable of reproducing pitch, roll, and heave motions representative of offshore wave-induced buoy dynamics. Motion inputs can be generated either synthetically or based on measured time series from operational floating LiDAR buoys, allowing the reproduction of calm to rough sea states within the kinematic limits of the system. The entire setup was designed to be modular and mobile, enabling deployment outside laboratory buildings while minimizing disturbances to GNSS-based motion sensing, which is critical for the validation of motion compensation algorithms. Within the NEOWIND project, the test stand was used in a comprehensive measurement campaign employing two vertical profiling LiDARs (ZX300M). One system was mounted on the motion platform and subjected to controlled movements, while a second system was installed nearby as a static reference at identical height. This configuration enabled high-quality comparison of motion-affected and reference wind measurements under realistic atmospheric conditions. The results demonstrate that advanced onshore testing can effectively replicate key aspects of offshore floating LiDAR operation. Compared to offshore reference setups, the presented approach offers improved comparability due to the close proximity and equal elevation of the reference system, while significantly reducing logistical effort. Hardware and software issues, including motion sensor integration and algorithmic limitations, could be identified and resolved prior to offshore deployment, leading to a more efficient and robust subsequent measurement campaign at sea. The presented test stand provides a sustainable and transferable solution for the development and pre-validation of floating LiDAR systems. It enables faster iteration cycles, reduces development risk, and supports the introduction of innovative measurement solutions for offshore wind resource assessment without the immediate need for costly offshore testing.