Aviation

Resources

Studies

Assessment of Effects of Wind Turbines on ATC Radars
A report for the US Department of Commerce - National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
Lemmon, Carroll, Sanders, Turner   July 2008 32 pages link
This technical report describes the results of a study exploring the effects of power-producing wind turbines on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control (ATC) radars. The study was performed to identify the extent to which these effects exist, and to identify mitigation techniques and parameters for such effects.
 
Resolution of radar operation objections to wind farm developments.
BAE Systems URN: 08/618 15/05/2008 126 pages link
Contract number: W/45/00663/00/00. Report on a project to identify solutions to the problem of the interference that wind farms cause to radars. Investigates using advanced digital tracker for mitigating air traffic control radar interference from wind turbines.
 
Stealth technology for wind turbines.
BAE Systems URN: 08/747 12/05/2008 87 pages link
Contract number: W/44/00658/00/00. Final report on a programme to develop a reduced radar cross section (RCS) wind turbine system which addresses the planning objections by using a combination of materials and shaping techniques to reduce the overall RCS of a wind turbine, including the blades, nacelle and tower.
 
Study into the radar impact of a Micro turbine
QinetiQ   11/2007 32 pages link
The RCS of a micro turbine was measured and analysis of the data was undertaken looking at both the RCS return from the turbine structure and the Doppler return from the blades at yaw angles of 0, 45 and 90 degrees with respect to the radar.
 
Watchman primary surveillance radar in the presence of wind turbine interference. Part 1: generic safety case.
HVR URN: 07/1441 16/10/2007 55 pages link
Safety case for the baseline watchman primary surveillance radar as installed at a hypothetical RAF aerodrome in the presence of wind turbine.
 
COWRIE Radar in-fill for Greater Wash area. Feasibility study: final report.
QinetiQ URN: 07/1442 17/09/2007 41 pages link
Study investigating the feasibility of installing and operating an air defence in-sill radar in the Greater Wash area with the aim of mitigating radar interference from offshore wind turbines.
 
Investigation of Technical and Operational Effects on Marine Radar Close to Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm
Marico Marine   04/2007 57 pages link
A marine (vs aviation) radar report: An independent report funded by Round 2 offshore developers under a steering group of DTI, Maritime Coastal Agency, Port of London Authority and BWEA into the effects of wind farms on Marine Radar.
 
Air traffic service safety case workshop.
BAE Systems URN: 07/1142 02/08/2007 21 pages link
Results of a workshop to agree the air traffic safety issues pertaining to the interference caused by wind turbine interference with in sight of primary surveillance radars. Contract number 01.08.09.09/53A
 
Options for mitigating the impacts of wind turbines on NERL's primary radar infrastructure.
NERL URN: 06/2233 31/01/2007 108 pages link (part 1)
link (part 2)
link (part 3)
Study on how the interference from wind turbines on radar can be mitigated. 3 part paper.
 
The Effect of Windmill Farms on Military Readiness - A report to the Congressional Defense Committees
US DoD   2006 62 pages link
The report begins with a brief introduction of the key principles of radar systems, describes in what circumstances wind farms might cause problems for the Department and under what circumstances such wind farms would not cause problems. Radar test results from multiple flight trials near wind farms performed by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence are discussed.
 
Design and manufacture of radar absorbing wind turbine blades: final report.
QinetiQ URN: 05/1409 31/07/2005 61 pages link
Describes the results of a project to design and manufacture radar absorbing wind turbine blades using radar absorbing materials (RAM). The objective is to reduce the effect of wind turbines, and blades in particular, on radar systems used for air traffic control and weather and marine navigation.
 
The Effects of Wind Turbines on ATC Radar
MoD Air Warfare Centre   10/05/2005 48 pages link
The aim of the Trial was to determine the effects of wind turbine farms on the ATC area and airfield primary surveillance radars. This was achieved by tasking scripted sorties with a variety of aircraft types to over-fly the subject wind turbine farms. The radar video display was assessed during the Trial and radar video output was captured for analysis.
 
The Effects of Wind Turbines on AD Radar
MoD Air Warfare Centre   6/01/2005 32 pages link
The aim of the Trial was to determine the effects of wind turbine farms on AD radars by considering the effects of wind turbine farms on radar performance with regard to probability of detection, tracking and displayed effects, the effects on low-level coverage due to the wind turbine farm and system set-up and observed displayed effects. This was achieved by tasking scripted sorties with a variety of aircraft types to overfly the subject wind turbine farm. The radar video display was assessed during the trial and radar plot data was captured for analysis.
 
Feasibility of mitigating the effects of windfarms on primary radar - Project summary
BAE Systems (AMS) URN: 04/676 29/02/2004 4 pages link
Project summary 183. Carried out as part of the DTI's new and renewable energy programme.
 
Wind farms impact on aviation radar interests
QinetiQ URN: 03/1294 30/09/2003 176 pages link
Report of a project carried out under the UK New and Renewables Energy Programme. This has a linked CD-ROM (URN 03/CD17).
 
Feasibility of mitigating the effects of wind farms on primary radar
BAE Systems (AMS) URN: 03/976 30/06/2003 71 pages link (part 1)
link (part 2)
link (part 3)
Report of a project carried out under the DTI's New and Renewable Energy Programme. 3 part paper.
 
Wind turbines and aviation interests: European experience and practice
Stasys Ltd URN: 03/515 14/01/2003 94 pages link
Interim report of a project carried out under the UK Sustainable Energy Programmes.

CAA Documents

Other useful documents