Deploying scanning lidars at coastal sites

This report presents the concept of scanning lidars placed at coastal sites in order to measure the near-coastal (offshore) wind resource. In particular, the site requirements for such scanning lidars are examined in the context of the siting choices made for the RUNE project. It is seen that the most desirable sites are away from sand dunes and with some significant elevation above the sea surface, such as at the top of a cliff. Coastal planning restrictions in Denmark are quite restrictive and it was important to allow sufficient time to obtain permission from the relevant authorities. At the same time, with our particular application, the authorities and land owners were quite favourably inclined to give permission to temporary installations in support of wind energy research. The report concludes with the final positions and a pictorial description of the three RUNE scanning lidars.