OFFSHORE RESOURCE ASSESSMENT - Wind Resource Assessment: A Practical Guide to Developing a Wind Project - page 208

Mainland base station Offshore site

Base station
computer

Remote
computer

Internet

Figure 14-11. Diagram of a possible point-to-point radio connection between an offshore
monitoring station and a computer on land. Source : AWS Truepower.

remote computer quickly, and unlike commercial cellular- or satellite-based connec-
tions, there are no data-transfer limitations other than those imposed by the equipment.
The method requires that the base station be within the range of the offshore antenna
and have a clear line of sight to it.

14.2.6 Power Supply
Most offshore platforms do not have access to grid power, and therefore, an inde-
pendent power supply is usually required. This can place constraints on the amount
and types of monitoring equipment that can be supported, especially considering that
the platform area, loading considerations, and other equipment can limit the space
available for the power supply. Most offshore power supplies consist of a generation
system (solar panels, small wind turbines, fuel cell, a generator, or some combination
of these) and a bank of deep-cycle storage batteries. The design capacity and config-
uration of the power supply are influenced by the equipment attached to it, including
sensors, data loggers, and communications systems, as well as by the desired trans-
mission frequency, uptime, and length of time the system must operate unattended.
In some cases, the power supply can also affect permitting, especially when diesel,
propane, or other fuels need to be transferred to the platform and stored on it.
The standard instruments deployed on towers and their loggers consume rela-
tively little power. A bigger challenge is posed by remote sensing systems, especially
lidar. Although manufacturers continue to make progress on reducing the power con-
sumption of their units, lidars can still represent a significant power requirement for
offshore platforms. The power needs for lidars vary by device and operating condi-
tions. Typically, during periods of extremely cold or warm weather, a lidar's onboard
temperature control system will draw more power. Some lidar units have thermally
insulated “jackets” that can be installed in the winter to help regulate the unit's
temperature.
Aside from the wind resource assessment systems, other equipment on the platform,
such as warning lights, navigation aids, biological monitoring devices (e.g., radars),
and ocean environment sensors, must be considered in determining the overall power
requirements.