New WindPRO version 2.5

Finally, after long time of waiting, version 2.5 was released shortly before Christmas 2005.

The development of this version was more time consuming than we originally anticipated. Especially, the new eGRID module took longer to develop, but we are very proud of the result of this module, and hope it will be used worldwide for the design and calculation of grid connections to wind farm projects.

We have already received many positive comments from our users regarding version 2.5, indicating that it was worth the wait. Improved flexibility is a key word for version 2.5. Another keyword is efficient handling of large data amounts. Take a close look at the list of improvements, if you haven't seen it before. We are confident that you will appreciate the changes.

List of Improvements in version 2.5:

Read more about the new facilities and improvements in version 2.5 here:

Coming MCP Module

Many of our users have for some time been requesting a MCP (Measure-Correlate-Predict) module in WindPRO to avoid the tiresome work of correlating short-term measured wind data with long-term reference data for establishing a long-term wind statistic for a specific site.

We have now good news for these users. For the last year, we have been developing this new module, and we are currently testing it in a beta version. Expected release date for the new MCP module is March this year.

The MCP module has been designed, so the user can perform calculations based on more different MCP method. The user will be able to choose between the following four MCP methods: Linear regression, Matrix, Wiebull scale and Wind index. The module provides detailed reports for each MCP calculation method and makes it easy to compare. The module also gives access to a data extraction tool where the user can download NCEP/NCAR long-term reference data from the period 1948 to 2005 at a special purpose server at EMD.

We have noticed that in other MCP tools the input data often tend to disappear in a "black box" where it is no longer possible for the user to follow the calculation process and thus making it difficult to determine whether the output of a MCP analysis is correct. During the development of the new WindPRO MCP module, we have therefore put emphasis in designing a "transparent" module with a logical structure where the user is able to follow the input data and its processing through the different steps of the MCP analysis to secure maximum reliability of the results. We hope you will enjoy the module when it is being released.

The MCP module will be available at a price of Euro 1,250 for a 1-user license.

Hotfix for WindPRO version 2.5 available

We have just released the first hotfix for WindPRO version 2.5 at the following link:
http://www.emd.dk/WindPRO/News/

We recommend all users of version 2.5 to install this hotfix.

At our website you will find a link to a complete list of enhancements and known issues included in this hotfix. The most important are as follows:

ERROR CORRECTIONS

IMPROVEMENTS

As one of the above mentioned problems might have had an influence on your earlier project calculations in WindPRO version 2.5, we strongly recommend that you install the hotfix and subsequently recalculate the projects again.

Please contact our hot-line support at windpro@emd.dk or our regional sales offices, if you are in doubt whether the problems mentioned in the list might have any relevance for you.

Wind Turbine Catalogue Update

In WindPRO version 2.5 we have updated the Wind Turbine Catalogue (WindCat).

As we are updating details of turbines on a constant basis when they become available from the manufacturers, we recommend that you use the on-line import facility in WindPRO on a regular basis to be sure that you are working with the latest specifications for the different turbine types.

If you are not yet familiar with the on-line update facility, please either click on "Updates" in the calculation window in WindPRO or click on "Update" in the WTG Explorer, and you will automatically be connected to our server.

Activation of Registration Files

Starting from WindPRO version 2.5, the user will have to activate the .erf registration file through the EMD software activation server in order to make the license registration operative.

You are automatically connected to the EMD software activation server when you register the .erf file in WindPRO (click on "Options" and then "Registration" to register).

Through our software activation server, both the licensee and EMD are able to monitor how many times a registration file has been activated, on which PC's, and also which modules the different individual users have activated.

If you would like to have more detailed information about our registration terms, please contact our sales department at emd@emd.dk

New Italian Speaking Wind Consultant at EMD

We are pleased to inform you that Maurizio Motta will join our team of wind consultants in Aalborg, Denmark on April 1^st, 2006. Maurizio will be providing both hot-line support to WindPRO users and will also be working in our consultancy service department. Maurizio is raised and educated in Italy and has later studied in Denmark. Maurizio holds a degree in Physics and is a trained (radar) meteorologist. Prior to his employment at EMD, he has been working at Risø, Servizio Agrometeorologico Regionale on Sardinia and the Danish utility Energi E2. Maurizio can be reached at mm@emd.dk.

Getting more out of the Layer Structure

When the window with the layer structure is open (called "layers"), it can be quite confusing, that the content of the object list constantly changes when the pointer passes over the different layers. The idea is that only the layer you're pointing at will be displayed in the object list. If you find this too confusing, just click at the magnifying glass in the layers box and the content of all the activated layers will be permanently displayed.

If you like working with the layer structure and want to work with it in a more systematic way, you can benefit from setting up the optimal layer structure for a certain type of calculation. Right click and save the layer structure as a template. This layer structure can then be loaded in any new projects.

If the layers box is taking up too much of your screen space you can right click on it, uncheck Docked and squeeze it as small as you want to. The reduced box can be moved around freely on the screen.

Making Landscape Cross Sections more realistic

If you are using the function "Show profile view", you can make them more realistic for presentations. When an artificial photomontage of a site cross section is shown, you can e.g. add a background bitmap displaying the sky and a foreground bitmap showing a soil texture. Click on the icon profile setup and add the relevant bitmaps. A variety of bitmaps for the purpose can be found in C:WindPRO Data3DA Data

Grid Lines on map with the Shape Object

In addition to the use of the shape object for drawing circles and rectangles, the shape object can be used to insert a grid on the map e.g. on a satellite map, aerial photo or general road map. The spacing can be chosen freely and the grid will automatically be updated when the coordinate system is changed. Simply choose "Grid" as shape type and select line colour and line width in properties of the shape object after inserting the object an arbitrary place.

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