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Greenfield development & pre-feasibility study

Balancing uncertainty & cost

Start with windPRO

From blank map to buildable wind project

Greenfield wind development means starting from scratch—but success depends on how well you navigate:

  • Environmental complexity

  • Regulatory hurdles

  • Technical constraints

  • Economic risk

wind-farm-green-hills

Looking at multiple sites?

Here’s the winning approach:

 

1

Rank sites

Evaluate all potential locations and score them based on quality and viability.

2

Drop the duds

Eliminate low-potential sites early to save time and resources.

3

Focus resources

Concentrate on the most promising, buildable areas for maximum impact.


Why early-stage analysis matters

If you use windPRO for early screening, you will

identify high-potential wind sites

Filter out sites with poor wind resources to avoid poor Return On Investment (ROI).

 

design compliant, efficient layouts

Plan turbine layouts that meet noise and shadow flicker regulations from the start—avoiding costly redesigns or delays.

 

select feasible, developable land

Easily filter out restricted zones and unsuitable terrain, ensuring your site meets legal, environmental, and practical requirements.


 

How can windPRO help me with...

Predicting wind conditions—speed, frequency, and turbulence—without full onsite data?

Even without measured data you can give it a first shot through direct access from windPRO to global weather model data (e.g. ERA5, MERRA2, NORA3, CERRA, GWA) to identify high-potential zones before installing measurement equipment.

Avoiding steep terrain, forested areas, and land with conflicting uses like agriculture, conservation, or residential zones?

windPRO gives you access to a vast library of elevation, land use data coupled with satellite imagery can be overlayed. Additionally, access to geospatial governmental data sources provides all required input to identify the extent of suitable land.

Designing turbine layouts – to match not one, but many objectives?

Making the most of the available land by optimizing the layout for AEP/LCOE/NPV, and at the same time keeping noise and loads within limits. 

Ensuring compliance with noise and shadow flicker regulations?

Simple setbacks are not always enough. Model noise levels and shadow cast with DECIBEL and SHADOW to ensure compliance with local restrictions.

Ranking sites by energy yield and LCoE?

Rank the sites either by production, LCoE or NPV. Easily compare different turbine models, wind farms sizes and layouts.

 

Easy access to online data GIS-based siting Integration with global weather data Layout optimization Noise simulation Flicker impact modelling
  • Easy access to online data

    Topography, land use maps incl forestry, geospatial governmental data sources, and satellite imagery. You do not need to spend time chasing data sources. windPRO has a vast collection of various types of maps, which is continuously updated and expanded.

  • GIS-based siting

    You can import your own GIS data. By overlaying multiple spatial datasets (e.g., terrain, grid access, dwellings), you can quickly identify and resolve conflicts.

  • Integration with global weather data

    Access to multiple reanalysis datasets (like ERA5, MERRA-2, etc.) lets you compare and validate long-term wind conditions. This reduces reliance on a single dataset, mitigating bias or model errors, and strengthens your wind resource assessment.

  • Layout optimization

    Tailored layout optimization to your development priorities—maximum energy (AEP), lowest cost (LCOE), or highest return (NPV).

  • Noise simulation

    Ensures your project complies with local and national noise regulations, preventing rejections or legal issues during permitting.

  • Flicker impact modelling

    Accurately calculates shadow flicker hours at nearby residences using turbine geometry, topography, sun path, and weather conditions. Ensures your project meets legal shadow flicker limits, preventing rejection during permitting.

The modules you need

Key modules for this use case

BASIS

 Project, Maps and GIS data management. 

METEO

Climate data handling. Access to online wind data. 

WAsP 

Industry standard flow modelling.

MODEL

Resource mapping and connecting with WAsP.

PARK

Energy calculations.

OPTIMIZE (opt.)

Easy layout creation.

SITE COMPLIANCE and LOAD RESPONSE (opt.)

Include lifetime constraints in optimization.

SHADOW (opt.l)

Shadow flicker modelling.

DECIBEL (opt.)

Noise impact simulation.

Learn. Apply. Succeed: Your windPRO Training Hub

Dive into our comprehensive courses, webinars, and tutorials to master windPRO’s powerful features. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, our resources will help you unlock the full potential of your wind projects. Start learning today!

Courses relevant for this use case:

  • BASIS
  • Greenfield
  • EYA
  • Energy Optimize  
  • Noise
  • Shadow & Visual
  • Site Compliance

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