Thermodynamic Profiler for the Marine Atmospheric Boundary LayerObservations

The proposed project will develop a low cost marine atmospheric boundary layer profiler. The Marine Profiling Radiometer (MPR) will provide temperature and humidity profiles, indicative of the atmospheric stability, up to heights of 200 m and above. In addition, the radiometer will provide integrated water vapor and cloud liquid measurement. All these measurements will be provided at the rates appropriate for advanced rapid refresh weather modeling in order to improve characterization of the marine atmospheric boundary layer for offshore wind applications. The packaging, weight, power consumption and mode of operation of the MPR are designed for operation on a buoy. The addition of the MPR to an existing buoy with a lidar wind profiler, will make such a buoy a complete replacement of much more expensive meteorological masts. We are proposing the development of a robust, reliable, low power consuming radiometer hardened for operations close to the ocean surface and capable of working without maintenance for an extended period of time. In addition, the MPR will be capable of autonomous operation without requiring a manual calibration. With a support of a floating lidar buoy manufacturer we will work on the conceptual design of the MPR mechanical attachment to a buoy, the electrical power interface, and on the communication format between the buoy instrumentation and MPR, as well as on the data transfer to the shore. In order to improve the economy of the wind resource, the wind turbine sizes are increasing. The blades of the largest turbines are currently reaching 220 meters in height and their size is likely to grow in the future. As wind turbines grow in size, the rationale for using met towers alone is rapidly vanishing. A typical 60-meter meteorological tower introduces additional uncertainty at turbine hub heights and across the sweeping area. Since most 100-meter and taller meteorological towers are not cost-effective for project site assessment, remote sensing devices have to be developed for wind resource assessment, characterization and to improve the economy of operation of existing wind projects. Key Words: Microwave radiometer, thermodynamic state of the atmosphere, measurement of cloud liquid water, cloud ice content, humidity measurement, buoy radiometer, autonomous operation, marine atmospheric boundary layer temperature profile, humidity profile