Nordex preps for serial production in Q4 of needs-based wind turbine lighting sys

Germany’s Nordex SE (ETR:NDX1) plans to start serial production of a needs-based aviation obstruction lighting system for its wind turbines in the fourth quarter of 2016, after being granted certification last month.

The system switches on the warning lights only when it detects an approaching flying object. Thus it reduces light emissions from wind farms, both future and existing. Nordex believes this would increase the acceptance of wind farms among nearby residents.

The wind turbine maker intends to produce these lighting systems for the German market at first, and for other international key markets in the medium term, it said.

Nordex developed the system jointly with Danish radar expert Terma A/S. It is based on an active radar and is capable of monitoring the surrounding airspace within a radius of 18 km (11.2 miles). It can detect all types of flying objects, whether they are equipped with transponders or not.

The company has been trialling a prototype of the radar system on the turbines that make up the Janneby wind farm in northern Germany over recent months. Several pilots have conducted test flights during that time.

The system was certified on March 4, 2016.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!