Hotfix 6 for WindPRO version 2.5 available

We have just released hotfix 6 for WindPRO version 2.5.

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:

• Shape export from Result Layer
• PARK Eddy Viscosity Model: Corrected problem with wake results when inflow wind speeds exceeded the cut-out winds speed
• Fixed problem setting hub-height with wrong decimal separator
• OPTIMIZE: Deviation between result from optimize and park calculation
• Terrain report very time consuming when using new Danish IT maps
• MCP: Advanced disable/enable did not work
• MCP: Date interval filter setup fixed
• DECIBEL: octave data was sometimes lost in calculations using more wind speeds
• Detection of zone in coordinate system could fail when map file header was written from WAsP Map Editor
• Wrong air density was some times used for Wind energy in result for key hub height in the Park main report and others

• Meteo Object: When editing turbulence in the meteo object (mean + standard deviation tables only), then the table must be put into edit mode. When this mode is enabled, automatic update of the sample statistics (omni directional and sector wise statistics) is enabled. Previously these values were based on time series data only.
• Line Object: When import XYZ files, if the file contains consecutive delimiters then these are now treated as one.
• WINDCAT: More digits in hub height for noise data
• Roughness class increased from 4 to 5 (roughness length 6 m)
• Cuban coordinate systems added
• Prepared for running Windows Vista
• Missing translated text in report languages added
• New Danish noise calculation
• eGrid calculation speed up (new faster DLL version)
• eGrid map setup for maps on main reports.
• DECIBEL: Octave data from other wind speeds are now used as basis for calculation of missing octave data
• ZVI: Better reports and result layer legend for Cumulative impact
• ZVI: Better legend for graph in main report
• Better support for NTF file formats from OS
• New Swedish coordinate system

As some of the above mentioned error corrections might have had an influence on your earlier project calculations in WindPRO version 2.5, we strongly recommend that you install this new hotfix 6 and subsequently recalculate the projects again where possible.

WindPRO Error in Park Calculations

We have discovered an error in the PARK module, which may have caused wrong park calculation results for some of our users, when using version 2.5. We would like to underline that a number of different factors need to be fulfilled to provoke the error.

The error only occurs when: Using map file in Line object for either height or roughness AND using Line objects in Site data object AND map files are optimized AND coordinate system is changed after the line object is created.

This will give a wrong interpretation of coordinates in the map files, resulting in wrong WTG sites in a WAsP calculation.

MCP Module

The MCP ((Measure-Correlate-Predict) module was officially released in December 2006 after a long and thorough testing by an international group of WindPRO users, who have provided lots of valuable input during the development of the module.

The result is a MCP module, which in our opinion is the most comprehensive and flexible software tool on the market for these kinds of analyses.

With the MCP module the user can perform calculations based on different MCP methods. The user can choose between the following four MCP methods: Linear regression, Matrix, Weibull scale and Wind index.

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 until now at a special purpose server at EMD.

The "end result" from the MCP analysis is a wind statistic generated with WAsP based on a terrain description and the long term corrected site data. This can be used directly in a PARK calculation or for a wind resource map calculation. For non-WAsP use or further analyses, the long term corrected site data can be exported as time series.

WindPRO in Spain

Normawind S.A., a Barcelona-based wind consultancy company, was appointed WindPRO sales and support representative in Spain in November 2006.

Normawind is now assisting our software team in developing Spanish language versions of the MCP and eGRID modules, which means that all modules within the WindPRO software package will soon be available in Spanish.

New Wind Consultant at EMD

We are pleased to inform you that Mads Soerensen has returned to our team of wind consultants in Aalborg, Denmark after spending a couple of years teaching at a technical college. Mads is providing both hot-line support to WindPRO users as well as working in our wind consultancy department. Mads can be reached at mvs@emd.dk.

Display Steepness

It is often useful to get an idea of the steepness of slopes on your site. This is because WAsP may have problems in a steep region, but also because constructions on steep slopes are impractical.

You get a steepness map in Maps and Objects by inserting an Area object and check "Steepness Check". Switch to the Import/Export tab and import the .wpo file with your height contours. This opens a box in which you select the size of the area you want a map for and by pressing "Edit list" you can load a template for steepness. The "Steepness_high_hatched" is particularly suitable.

Click OK twice to load the steepness map. In the tab "Area types" you can see the categories and deselect those intervals you do not want to see. Leave the Area object and you got a layer on top of your background map.

In the "Presentation" tab of the Area object you can set a transparent boundary line and you got a nice map.

The map can be exported as a shape file from the Area object and imported in the WTG area object and the steep areas can be defined as exclusion zones.

Buffer Zones

Colouring the Turbines

WTG objects on the map can now be assigned different colours. This helps differentiating between different stages in a wind farm project, different owners or different turbine types. These colours are also used in the photomontage when viewing the turbines as symbols.

Elliptical Distance Circles

In WindPRO it has always been possible to draw a circular distance circle around a turbine. Now you can also draw ellipses. In the "Miscellaneous" tab of the WTG properties select Ellipse and set your major and minor distances and the angle of the orientation of the major distance.

This is useful when turbulence, prevalence of wind direction or other issues require that row distance must be different from column distance.

Coming WindPRO Training Courses

EMD is pleased to offer you the following 3-day WindPRO International Training Courses during the first half of 2007:

• Zaragoza, Spain on February 13-15, 2007 (with Spanish translation)
• Grand Forks, ND on March 6-8, 2007
• Aalborg, Denmark on April 17-19, 2007
• Milan, Italy on May 9-11, 2007 (with Italian translation)
• Los Angeles, CA, USA on June 6-8, 2007
• Beijing, China on June 25-27, 2007

The above courses will be conducted in English, and you can view the course programme here.

In Germany, we are arranging a 5-day WindPRO Training Course in Kassel on April 23-27, 2007. This course is conducted in German.

In France, we are arranging a 5-day WindPRO Training Course in Paris on February 27-28 and March 6-8, 2007. This course is conducted in French.

Coming Advanced Courses

Our 2-day Advanced Courses, which were are great success last year, will be repeated in 2007 with courses in Aalborg, Denmark on May 22-23 and again on November 6-7, 2007.

We are also considering arranging an Advanced Course in Los Angeles in June, in connection with the AWEA conference, provided we receive sufficient positive feedback on such a course from our users in North America.

The advanced courses are aimed at existing WindPRO users, who would like to use the more advanced features that only "expert users" normally know and understand. Also presentation of new modules and tools will be in focus. The courses are organized as workshops, which means that the participants may address other topics related to WindPRO and receive tips and tricks in using specific parts or features within the software package in addition to the course topics.

Exhibitions where you can meet EMD

During the first half of 2007, EMD will be exhibiting at the following exhibitions and conferences:

• Salon des Energies Renouvelables 07, Lyon on February 14-17, 2007, hall 9 - stand 9444
• EWEC Conference & Exhibition, Milan on May 7-11, 2007, stand G121
• AWEA Windpower Conference, Los Angeles, CA on June 3-6, 2007, stand 1837
• Wind Power Asia, Beijing on June 28-30, 2007

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