windPRO 4.2 Beta Test

Thank you for participating in the beta test of windPRO. We are now ready for sharing some insights into the upcoming windPRO 4.2. 

As a beta tester you get early access to the next version ahead of everybody else. That  means you have a unique opportunity to influence the development of windPRO. Being a beta version also means that there might be bugs that have yet to be handled. If you find one, please let us know so we can fix it. 

After installing windPRO 4.2, you'll notice that much of the interface remains familiar from versions 4.1 and 4.0. However, upon closer inspection, you'll find that enhancements have been made throughout the tool.

The list below is not exhaustive, and some areas will see additional improvements in the coming months. So, we encourage you to try out the beta and let us know what you think at: [email protected] 

windPRO 4.2 introduces a new GIS platform that will make it easier to work with large geospatial databases directly within windPRO. In this first edition we are focusing on connecting and visualizing datasets from more sources than ever before. This includes the ability to import Geopackages, connect to Web Feature Services (WFS) and ArcGIS Feature Services. 

Display multiple layers from different sources on top of each other using the original symbology. Re-order, hide and add layers to fit your needs. 

Swap between thematic maps with ease. You can create collections of maps for individual purposes. One set for environmental considerations, another for administrative maps and a third for civic works and so one. No need to tick a billion checkboxes, just to view a preferred set of GIS maps. 

The GIS platform in windPRO 4.2 is the first deliverable from a long-term project seeking to improve the GIS capabilities of windPRO in general. This is just the beginning. 

You can now save templates when creating new projects. This makes it easier to download the right datasets every time, depending on the project type and location. Create your own pre-defined layer structure and export it to colleagues so they use the same setup. Start your first template by selecting datasets in the individual tabs:

Lower your uncertainty by finding the best suited met mast position on or near your site. Adhering to the guidelines for site complexity assessment in the German Technical Guideline 6 (Technische Richtlinie TR6) the T-RIX tool now offers three new map generators:

• Complexity index: Where can I place new turbines, using a specific mast?
• Sitefinder map: Where can I place new turbines, using existing reference points?
• Met mast map: Where can I place a new met mast, given a specific turbine layout?

You can find it under the Tools tab:

PARK can now combine multiple wake models into one ensemble model. Add weights to your preferred models. Currently, the N.O. Jensen, N.O. Jensen PARK 2, Ainslie 1988 and TurboPARK can be combined with individual settings in time varying calculations. The ensemble model can be used in conjunction with time varying curtailments and outputs a separate report section in the PARK report and production time series export.

Find it as a wake model in the Wake tab of Time-Varying PARK calculations:

With windPRO 4.2 you can now also up-sample the PARK production time series to 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60-minute time steps. This requires that the calculation is not aggregated. Find the new option in Result to File:

Measuring with LiDAR in complex terrain? You can now use CFD to correct your measurements within the METEO object. Either import from third party CFD providers using the flowres format, use WASP-CFD, or manually enter the correction factors in the table.

Access the RSD Flow correction window from the Data tab:

Verify remote sensing devices against a mast according to the IEC 61400-50-2 standard. The beta version is lacking proper export functionality, but this will be added soon.

You can access the tool from the Climate tab:

You can now display the wind roses for all meteo objects by right clicking on it and selecting “Show rose on map”. If multiple meteo objects have been selected, you can toggle the roses closest to a specified height:

 You can now also highlight timeseries on the graph by clicking on the height in the list: 

Added import support for the new NRG LOGR format.

You can now include noise from other sources than just wind turbines. With the new Noise Emitter Object (NEO), any kind of point noise source can be placed on the map. This could for instance be a factory, farm, battery or substation.

When running a DECIBEL calculation, these NEOs can be included when selecting the German Interimsverfahren model and adding an additional noise calculation model:

Moreover, DECIBEL can now handle screening and noise reflections according to the ISO 9613-2 standard.

It is also possible to apply preloads according to TA LÄRM 3.2.1