The UK Government is to upgrade its air defence systems to tackle the radar 'blind-spots' created by offshore wind farms.
Public sector consultants Serco and US defence contractor Lockheed Martin have been awarded the multi-million pound contract to deliver a long-range air surveillance radar system that overcomes sensor performance issues commonly caused by the rotating blades of wind turbines.
The upgrade will help the UK achieve its climate change commitments through the greater use of the nation’s sizeable offshore wind energy resources without compromising its defence capabilities.
The partners have reached agreement with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to introduce new radar technology into the UK Air Defence System. The advanced electronics of Lockheed Martin’s AN/TPS77 radar eliminate interference, or “clutter,” that commonly obscure radar targets in and around wind farms.
The new radar system will provide reliable air defence surveillance capabilities for the MoD and allow the UK to move forward with plans to install some 924 turbines along its Europe-facing, east coast.
The AN/TPS77 radar's capabilities in “green” wind field environments has been demonstrated in tests at land-based wind farms near Lockheed Martin’s outdoor test range in Cazenovia, New York, as well as in trials with the Horns Rev offshore wind farm in the North Sea.
The radar itself is also highly energy-efficient, delivering top performance while using just half the power of comparable S-band radars.
The AN/TPS77 is the latest configuration of the world’s most successful 3D solid-state radar design. This fixed site or transportable radar provides continuous high-quality 3D surveillance on aircraft targets at ranges out to 256 nautical miles.
Focussing on the proposed development in the Greater Wash area off the coast of East Anglia, the partnership will commence by introducing a Lockheed Martin TPS-77 radar at Remote Radar Head (RRH) Trimingham to coincide with the opening Scira’s offshore wind farm at Sheringham Shoal.
This is located between 17 and 23km off the coast of North Norfolk and will comprise of 88 wind turbines capable of generating 317MW of capacity. This is enough clean energy to power almost 220,000 British homes. Compared to fossil fuels that is a reduction of 500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions every year. With over 1200 turbines planned for the Greater Wash area, an even greater saving in CO2 reduction will be achieved.
Commenting on the programme, Andrew White, Chief Executive of Serco’s defence, science and nuclear business, said: “A key part of Serco’s mission is to help strengthen the sustainability of the communities in which we operate by enabling a low carbon economy and greater energy security.
“The application of this new technology will help achieve both by smoothing the way for the development of offshore wind farm, and will significantly increase the potential of wind energy in helping the UK meet its renewable energy targets.”
Simon Bailey, Serco Business Group Director, who has been responsible for leading this activity paid tribute to all parties that had helped realise this solution. He said: “Had it not been for the vision of all the UK stakeholders in form of MoD, DECC, The Crown Estate, Renewable UK and the individual Energy Companies themselves, it is unlikely that such a timely solution with an acceptable risk and reward profile for all parties, would have been identified within the available timeframe.
“It is with credit to all involved that this solution has been created”.
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