K13A

The K13A is an offshore production platform located 100 kilometers from the Netherlands in the Southern North Sea. The coordinates of the platform are: 53°13'NB, 3°13'OL . The K13A serves as a link between the production platforms J6 and the K6 and the other WGT pipeline operators.

K13A

Introduction

The Wind Energy department of TNO Energy Transition & Materials carries out a meteorological measurement program for the government (Ministry of Climate Policy and Green Growth) in the Dutch part of the North Sea. We provide developers and other interested parties with information about the meteorological conditions for future wind farms in the North Sea. We are currently carrying out measurements at four measuring locations (Europlatform – EPL, K13A, L2-FA-1 and Lichteiland Goeree – LEG). In addition, historical data sets are available from a number of measurement locations, such as Meteorological Measuring Mast IJmuiden (MM-IJ) and Meteorological Measuring Mast OWEZ (MM-OWEZ).

Measurement campaign

Since November, 2016 TNO is performing meteorological measurements on K13A with a ZX LiDAR. All the data is stored in a database and is made publicly available on this website.

The LIDAR measures wind speeds and directions at 63, 91, 116, 141, 166, 191, 216, 241, 266, and 291 meter. The LIDAR signals provided are general signals and measurement height specific signals.

Acronym Signal name Units
K13a_batvoltage Battery Voltage V
K13a_tempcpu CPU temperature inside the LiDAR deg C
K13a_humpod Relative Humidity inside the LiDAR %
K13a_bearing LiDAR Bearing Deg
K13a_tilt LiDAR tilt angle Deg
K13a_pair Air Pressure at LiDAR position hPa
K13a_wsmet Wind speed measured by LiDAR meteo station m/s
K13a_wdmet Wind direction measured by LiDAR meteo station Deg
K13a_HXXX_npts Measuring points
K13a_HXXX_missed Missed points
K13a_HXXX_npackets Packets in fit
K13a_HXXX_Wd Wind direction Deg
K13a_HXXX_Wshor_av Horizontal wind speed average m/s
K13a_HXXX_Wshor_std Horizontal wind speed standard deviation m/s
K13a_HXXX_Wshor_min Horizontal wind speed minimum m/s
K13a_HXXX_Wshor_max Horizontal wind speed maximum m/s
K13a_HXXX_WsVer_avg Vertical wind speed average m/s
K13a_HXXX_cs CS

LiDAR installation and Maintenance – ZX-300(M)

To perform wind speed measurements, a ZX-300(M) has been installed that can measure up to a height of 300 meters above sea level. The laser beam is safe for the eyes according to IEC EN 60825-1, January 2008.

Since November 2016 the LiDAR performs measurements at the platform. The LiDAR is regularly maintained and replaced with a newly calibrated LiDAR.

Data validation

During measurements failures can occur. This is why the measured data is checked for errors to prevent ‘pollution’ of the database. This happens in two steps:

1. The measurement computer checks for failures such as

  • No connection with a sensor
  • No connection with the measurement system
  • A value of a signal exceeds a minimum or maximum value

2. The measured data is daily checked manually for deviations

Data that is not in order is marked as ‘invalid’. When requesting the data from the database the ‘invalid’ data is not provided, so the user can be confident working with valid data.

Accreditation

Measurements on platforms LEG, EPL, K13A and L2-FA-1 are performed by TNO under accreditation 'L324 meteorological measurement'.

L324 - Raad voor Accreditatie (rva.nl)

Data

To download the data from K13A, you will be redirected to the Nimbus website, after registration, the data is accessible. The Nimbus website is only available in English.

Download data