Performance Evaluation of LIDAR and SODAR Wind Profilers on the Brazilian Equatorial Margin

This article seeks to compare the performance of a LIDAR Windcube V2, manufactured by Leosphere, with that of a SODAR MFAS, manufactured by Scintec, in evaluating wind speed at different altitudes. The data from these two sensors were collected at three locations on the Brazilian equatorial margin in the state of Maranhao. The comparison of these sensors aims at their simultaneous use at different points. The horizontal velocity components, by altitude, showed Pearson correlation values above 0.9 and values for the vertical velocity component between 0.7 and 0.85. As for the sampling efficiency, the LIDAR had a performance slightly higher than that of SODAR, especially at the point closest to the coast. In general, both sensors showed similar values, despite the differences in sampling methods. The results showed that the joint performance of these sensors had good correlation, being reliable for application in estimating wind potential for power generation in coastal areas of the equatorial region.

Automated summary

This study compared the performance of a LIDAR and a SODAR in evaluating wind speed at different altitudes, finding that the LIDAR had slightly better performance in horizontal velocity and sampling efficiency compared to the SODAR, with both sensors showing similar performance at different locations.