The Effects of Wind Turbine Farms on ATC Radar

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA466350 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The UK Government supports the introduction of wind turbine farms as part of its alternative energy strategy. However, Ministry of Defense MoD guidelines restrict planning consent for wind turbine farms within line of sight LoS from Primary Surveillance Radars and in close proximity to Royal Air Force RAF Airfields. The validity of these guidelines has been the subject of close scrutiny by the wind farm developers. Consequently, a trial was conducted by the Air Command and Control Operational Evaluation Unit Air C2 OEU in response to a tasking from Headquarters No 3 Group HQ 3 Gp, to determine the effects of wind turbine farms on Air Traffic Control ATC Primary Surveillance Radars. Stage 1 of the Trial was a scoping exercise over the period 3-4 Nov 04, utilizing the Watchman radar at RAF Valley and the Trysglwyn and Rhyd-y-Groes wind turbine farms. Stage 2, the start of the main trial, was conducted in the period 23-25 Nov 04 utilizing the Llandinam PL wind turbine farm in South Wales. A Watchman Radar was deployed to a privately owned site in Shropshire, slightly south of the National Air Traffic Services NATS Radar Site at Clee Hill. This deployment provided medium-range data from within the main beam of the radar. Stage 3 was conducted during the period 13-14 Dec 04, again utilizing the PL wind turbine farm but with the Watchman Radar on a soft-field site at Llanbister. This provided short-range data from within the auxiliary beam of the radar.

Author(s):
No Author(s) Identified
Author Organization(s):
AIR WARFARE CENTRE RAF LINCOLN (UNITED KINGDOM)
Supplementary Note:
The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0045

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
AWC/WAD/72/665/TRIALS
Monitor Series:
AWC/RAF
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_4.7.2_Installation Services; JCA_4.7_Base and Installations Support; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.2_Non-Kinetic Means; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_6.4_Information Assurance; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management; JCA_6.1.2_Wireless Transmission; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_1.2.2_Exercising; JCA_5.5.2_Task
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Air Platforms
Descriptor(s):
*AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS, *SEARCH RADAR, *WIND MACHINES, LINE OF SIGHT, AIR FORCE, AUXILIARY, STRATEGY, OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, LANDING FIELDS, UNITED KINGDOM, FARMS, TURBINES, COMMAND AND CONTROL SYSTEMS, SITES, ENERGY, WIND, RADAR
Field(s)/Group(s):
Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods, Active and Passive Radar Detection and Equipment
Keyword(s):
FOREIGN REPORTS, *WIND TURBINES
Report Date:
2005 May 10
Creation Date:
2007 Jun 13