
New digital tools use cloud computing to bring together thousands of data layers and smart algorithms. For wind developers considering possible sites for a new wind farm, this makes it possible to evaluate a much larger number of sites, quickly discarding the ones that do not meet their development criteria and honing in on the ones that fit.
By discovering a greater volume of early phase opportunities, developers can expect a larger number of high-quality projects at the end of the development process.
“By testing many sites, we increase the chances of finding and improving the best. The more we put in, the more we get out."
Henrik Hveding, Project Developer, Hafslund
Traditionally, developers would wait longer to assess a potential project at a detailed level, since they were unable to invest the significant time and resources required into too many possible projects. Now, software that incorporates smart algorithms makes it dramatically faster and cheaper to analyse potential projects for a selected site. Analysis that before could take days now take minutes with the latest software solutions. This allows developers to complete a more thorough analysis of possible projects at an early stage.
“We identified 3–4 areas in just one day – before, that would’ve taken several weeks. On top of that, now we’re much more confident in our projects."
Kristine Bentzen Foss, COO, Fenix Repower
By enabling a developer to access detailed insights much faster, Vind AI gives developers more security at an earlier stage of the project. Developers can ground key project decisions in detailed data from the beginning, reducing project risk.
“Using Vind AI in the early stage of onshore project development increases the likelihood that a project becomes reality."
Mats Jønland, Business & Project Developer, Eviny
With new digital tools, developers can gain multiple perspectives on a given potential project at once. By considering 20 (or more!) possible versions of a project next to each other with Vind AI’s scenario function, developers can quickly analyse the best configurations for any project site - and identify which parameters make the biggest difference on the business case.
“Vind AI helps us do a more thorough job early in the process. Project managers quickly get what they need — information that is crucial for us to decide whether to move forward with a project or not."
Solveig Ulseth, Head of Project Development, Aneo
Collecting data and information internally and from project partners takes up a lot of time for onshore wind developers. Standardising inputs across projects speeds up the development process. Digital tools lets developers safely store, manage, and share various company resources like data on turbines, cables, project configurations, and GIS layers.
In Vind AI, developers can easily reuse turbine data and other technical configurations across different projects by using the Library function, a commonality across Vind AI’s offshore and onshore wind functionalities.
Rather than replacing engineers, analysts and project managers, digital tools make it possible for developers to tap fully into the skills and expertise of their teams. For generalists, digital tools empower them to do more advanced work. Specialists use the tools to complete analysis tasks much faster, allowing them to spend more time on solving the most challenging tasks that cannot be outsourced to smart algorithms. Improved communication and collaboration within a project team is held up as the biggest gamechanger from using Vind AI also from offshore wind developers like Statkraft.
For digital tools to fulfil their potential to transform the wind industry, software developers must collaborate closely with wind developers.
“At Vind AI, we developed our onshore platform in close collaboration with renewable energy players like Eviny, Hafslund, Hydro Rein, OX2, and Cloudberry,” explains co-founder and CEO Helene Bøhler. “Going forward, we will continue to work closely with our customers to ensure our platform responds to real-life challenges. Smart algorithms, cloud computing and artificial intelligence can dramatically speed up the roll out of renewable energy, but only if the software industry and renewable energy developers combine their expertise.”
“Going forward, we will continue to work closely with our customers to ensure our platform responds to real-life challenges"
Helene M. Bøhler, Co-founder, CEO, Vind AI
Get in touch at hello@vind.ai or request a demo of the platform here.