A joint investigation into the assessment of marine radar, communications and positioning systems was undertaken at North Hoyle during 2004. In summary, two sets of complementary trials were completed by QinetiQ and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), facilitated by npower renewables.

The trials utilised local vessels and radar systems, including the RNLI’s Lady of Hilbre and Lill Cunningham Lifeboats, and a major merchant vessel, the MV Norbay, kindly supplied by P&O. The two sets of trials focused on two sub areas, namely general marine systems and marine radar systems.

In respect of general marine systems, both sets of trials, particular to North Hoyle, in summary concluded:

• “No problems with basic GPS reception or positional accuracy were reported during the trials”
• “The wind farm structures had no noticeable effects on any voice communications system….included[ing] shipborne, shorebased and handheld VHF transceivers and mobile telephones”
• “The wind farm generators and their cabling, inter-turbine and onshore did not cause any compass deviation during the MCA trials”
• “The Automatic Identification System (AIS) carried aboard the MV Norbay and monitored by the HM Coastguard MRSC Liverpool was fully operational”

In respect of radar performance, both sets of trials, particular to North Hoyle, in summary concluded:

• In relation to small vessel radar “Wind turbine generators produced blind and shadow areas in which other turbines or vessels could not be detected unless the observing vessel was moving”
• In relation to small shore based radar “its performance in respect of small vessels was similar to that of vessel mounted systems” however “large vessels were easily detected within and beyond the wind farm” in addition a unique feature of multiple echoes did occur in a specific radar / vessel configuration.
• In relation to long range radar “when the wind farm was observed at long range by the Mersey docks and Harbour Board radar the vessel was easily detected and tracked”

With the overall summary that:

• The effects on the majority of systems tested by the MCA were not found to be significant enough to affect navigational efficiency or safety, and ongoing collection of data on such systems is expected to prove these conclusions.

The overall conclusion is that the trials completed by MCA and QinetiQ at North Hoyle have shown that the majority of navigational aids operate satisfactorily within and in close proximity to a wind farm. npower renewables believes that this very positive message is of benefit to the many sea users the wind farm interacts with, significantly contributing to safety at sea. Although an issue has been identified concerning radar, this had been understood during theoretical studies and in the safety case presented prior to construction. The trials carried out have provided information in a format that will both assist current radar operators and aid further investigation, therefore helping to mitigate any effect.

npower renewables would like to thank all those parties who contributed to these unique studies.

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