Source: Marine Log, September 11, 2018.
WindSim AS, the leading provider and pioneer of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) based Wind Farm Design Tools (WFDT) utilized for the design of wind farms both onshore and offshore is opening a new office in Idaho Falls, ID, continuing the path to commercialization of the WindSim Power Line-Optimization Solution, a joint development initiative with U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory.
WindSim’s Power Line-Optimization Solution (WPLS) takes a revolutionary approach that out performs other Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) methodologies in cost, performance, and implementation time. Using commercial off the shelf weather monitoring stations in combination with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) enhanced weather analysis and the General Line Ampacity State Solver (GLASS©) software , this methodology allows utilities to calculate more robust line ampacities (ampere capacity), which is the maximum amount of electric current that can be carried before violating engineered design limits such as distance above ground (clearance), maximum conductor operating temperature, and ultimately experiencing damage or outages, and therefore offers the potential of safely increasing line ampacities over what has been allowed using customary—often conservative—Static Line Ratings.
WindSim is the recipient of a DLR project grant from Innovation Norway for the implementation of the DLR/TCF project 2018-19.
Recipients of the Department of Energy’s Office of Technology Transfer Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) 2017 project award titled “Pathway to Commercialization of Weather Based Dynamic Line Rating with CFD using INL’s General Line Ampacity State Solver (GLASS©) software,” WindSim is currently in collaboration to buy down the risk that utilities see in applying full dynamic line ratings with forecasts to their systems by performing the necessary commercialization steps with other key industry partners necessary to provide utilities with a valuable and supportable product and commercial team. The proximity to the Idaho National Laboratory will help facilitate the process.