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Wind science on the waves

Matt Rilkoff matthew.rilkoff@stuff.co.nz

A stubby blue and yellow floating platform that shoot lasers hundreds of metres into the air will soon begin determining the fate of a multi-billion-dollar addition to the Taranaki economy.

The Floating Light Detecting and Ranging device (FLIDAR), which will measure wind speed and other environmental conditions off the coast from Patea, was blessed at Port Taranaki yesterday.

Within the next week it is hoped that the 14-tonne device will be dropped in place 37km out to sea to begin monitoring conditions to determine whether the South Taranaki Bight is suitable for dozens of massive wind turbines.

The platform, which will be anchored at the spot for one year, is the first piece of physical offshore wind technology deployed by the Taranaki Offshore Partnership, a joint venture between Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and NZ Super Fund.

Befitting the blessing of such a device, there was a blustery wind at the port yesterday, where the FLIDAR measured a gust of 200kmh the day before.

‘‘We are really sure it will confirm what everyone is telling us, that it’s pretty good out there,’’ Taranaki Offshore Partnership’s Giacomo Caleffi said.

The device will be able to measure wind speeds up to 300m above sea level, using an array of five lasers.

The wind speed at 300m matters, as that is roughly the height of the tip of the turbine blades proposed to be used in the $5 billion project.

With up to 70 turbines proposed, it could eventually be capable of powering more than a third of New Zealand homes.

Caleffi said that as well as

delivering renewable energy at scale, the development of an offshore wind industry in Taranaki would create new opportunities for skilled workers, smoothing the region’s transition away from emissions-intensive industries.

Earlier this year, the project’s backers said it had the potential to see a major redevelopment at Pātea to become the main service hub and port.

There is already a study under way to determine Port Taranaki’s suitability to act as a hub for offshore wind projects.

‘‘There’s still a long way to go in our feasibility investigations, including a number of environmental impact studies and extensive iwi and community engagement, but deploying the FLIDAR reflects the momentum building around this project and the creation of an offshore wind industry in New Zealand,’’ Caleffi said.

Information collected by the FLIDAR device will be stored on board, with some data sent via satellite to France for analysis.

The device, which looks like a stubby tug with a cut-down container welded to the top, generates its own power through solar panels and an onboard turbine.

Taranaki Offshore Partnership is not the only group proposing to build a wind farm in the area.

Bluefloat Energy, Energy Estate and Elemental Group have proposed a $4b wind farm 22km off the coast of South Taranaki.

The turbines, fixed to the seabed, will generate 900 megawatts of electricity – enough to power nearly 440,000 homes.

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2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-08T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/281500755647785

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