Offshore Testing of CTW's Laser Wind Sensor Successfully Completed
Commercial launch of world’s first wind resource assessment buoy expected
Catch the Wind Ltd. (TSX-V: CTW.S) announced that field trial tests of the WindSentinel™, a wind resource assessment buoy mounted with CTW’s Vindicator® Laser Wind Sensor (LWS), have been successfully completed by AXYS Technologies Inc.
The field trials were conducted off of Race Rocks Island, in the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada, and were designed to determine if motion affected wind measurement by comparing the data collected by the Vindicator® LWS on a moving WindSentinelTM buoy to wind data collected from a second, stationary Vindicator® LWS on Race Rocks Island, 750 meters away.
“The buoy worked flawlessly during the trials, with wind speeds that reached more than 80 kilometers per hour and wave heights over four meters,” said Reo Phillips, Manager of AXYS product development. “We are currently analyzing the data in detail and expect a preliminary report ready for distribution early in the new year.”
As announced previously, AXYS and Catch the Wind entered into an OEM distribution agreement pursuant to which AXYS was granted a license to combine and integrate the Vindicator® LWS with custom AXYS salt/fresh water fixed and floating platforms, and sell the bundled products worldwide.
“We are very encouraged by the results of the latest field trials, which again validate the benefits of our laser wind sensing technology,” said Phil Rogers, President and CEO of Catch the Wind, Inc. “We look forward to working with AXYS Technologies and bringing the WindSentinel™ to market given the industry’s need to better determine the economic viability of off-shore wind energy projects before they are developed.”
The WindSentinel™ is designed to assist offshore wind farm developers in determining the available wind resource at potential wind farm sites. It is the world’s first wind resource assessment buoy capable of accurately measuring wind data at heights of conventional offshore wind turbines. Historically, wind farm developers have had to construct permanent offshore meteorological towers or “met masts” to collect wind speed and direction data. It is estimated that offshore met masts can cost as much as U.S. $10 million to build.
To watch an online video of the WindSentinel™ being deployed click here.
About AXYS Technologies
AXYS Technologies Inc. designs, manufactures, distributes and maintains remote environmental data acquisition, processing and telemetry systems. For further information contact AXYS at [email protected] or visit www.axystechnologies.com.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release, include, but are not limited to, economic performance and future plans and objectives of Catch the Wind. Any number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although Catch the Wind believes that the assumptions and factors used in making the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Catch the Wind disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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For more information, please contact:
Catch the Wind Ltd.
Claudia Jaques
Vice President and General Counsel
703-393-0754
[email protected]
The Equicom Group
Joe Racanelli
416-815-0700 ext. 243
[email protected]