Energy

Renewable energy developer purchases iPad app that ‘visualises’ wind farms

Published

11 years ago

March 5, 2014

Blue & Green Tomorrow

A leading European wind energy developer has become the first company to purchase an innovative mobile application that helps “visualise” turbines on site.

VentusAR, which was developed by Scottish technology start-up Linknode, has been bought by German firm ABO Wind. The company is developing wind farms in 10 countries around the world and has offices in Livingston and Inverness.

ABO Wind says that the £5,700 app is a “portable solution running on iPad and Android tablets, allowing fast, easy, effective wind farm visualisation in the field”. It is hoped that it will help speed up and simplify the consultation process by reducing uncertainty among planners and the public.

It is also hoped that the reduced time spent on development and planning of wind turbine sites will significantly lower the costs.

The app, which is currently in the process of securing a patent, uses integrated camera technology, GPS positioning and 3D gaming capabilities to create an accurate, live and realistic view of a proposed wind farm within a landscape.

Lucy Forte, project manager at ABO Wind, said, “The VentusAR is a very clever piece of technology that can add value at every stage of the development process”.

“From initial site investigations through to consultation, where this app allows the potential for better quality engagement with planners and members of the public, by providing instant in field visualisations from any specified viewpoint.”

Crispin Hoult, director of Linknode said, “We are delighted to be working with such an innovative and collaborative developer in ABO Wind. Linknode’s visualisation systems complement ABO’s visionary approach, to provide efficiencies and offer more to partners and communities.”