Katrick Technologies is developing a new wind mapping software to help capture wind energy from ground level, which the green technology developer said will be a “first in the market.”
The bespoke software development forms part of a consortium with Edinburgh Airport and Heriot-Watt University and is designed specifically to work alongside Katrick Technologies’ “ground-breaking” wind panel technology, which captures wind energy at ground level.
This method of wind generation would allow wind energy to be generated at a wider variety of locations such as roadsides, urban areas and airports.
Katrick Technologies has partnered with the Manufacturing Centre to develop a prototype of the wind panel technology to present to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
As the panels are deployed closer to the ground, their methodology differs and requires a new programme to measure the wind energy generated.
Therefore, the bespoke software will be used to bring Katrick’s wind turbines to market.
The software will initially be used for new wind projects to quantify the resource in a location before producing estimates on expected annual energy production.
Heriot-Watt University will provide expertise in the formulation of the quantification protocol and validation of the software and energy production, allowing Katrick to make an exact prediction of the available wind resource as well as the potential power generation and costs.
The project is currently under development with the current case study expected to conclude in December 2023.
“This wind mapping software is a totally novel product with the potential to change the game in wind power,” said Vijay Madlani, founder and CEO of Katrick Technologies.
“Not only will this allow our customers to get the most out of our wind panels by maximising the amount of kinetic energy that they can capture, but it will also open the door for further innovation on unexploited renewable resources.”
UK wind generation is going from strength to strength, experiencing a 23% year-on-year generational increase in 2022 and contributing to 47% of the UK’s electricity in March 2023.
