The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has confirmed
that the first of five new, or upgraded, Air Defence radars provided by
Serco, which prevent wind farms interfering with the UK’s air defence
capability, is now fully operational.
The
Remote Radar Head (RRH) Trimingham in Norfolk gained Initial Operating
Capability (IOC) in autumn 2011, with further flight trials and analysis
required to fully demonstrate that the solution provides acceptable mitigation
to the effects of the Sheringham
Shoal wind farm in all
climatic conditions experienced in the UK. These demonstrations have now
been successfully completed.
The radar has been provided and installed
under a contract awarded to Serco in 2010, with further contracts being
awarded to realise the same capability at four other UK locations where
Air Defence radars are affected by wind farm developments.
In its capacity as prime contractor, Serco
has been working with Lockheed Martin to optimise the necessary radar technology
that mitigates the interference created by wind farm turbine blades; the
lack of such technology had previously impeded the roll out of wind farms
in line of sight of Air Defence radars.
Serco has also been responsible for the overall
system performance, system installation, undertaking the safety case analysis,
installing new ground to air radios and, in addition, providing ongoing
consultancy to the energy companies in relation to their plans for future
wind farm developments for a period until 2018.
A potential 4GW of renewable electricity created
by on shore and off shore wind farms may be enabled, equivalent to providing
up to 11% of the UK annual electricity need from sovereign sources. Serco
stated that the first wind farm to benefit from its radar technology is
Sheringham
Shoal, which generates
1.1TWh of renewable electricity, equivalent to power for 220,000 British
homes.
Christopher Carpenter, MOD’s project director
and senior engineer, commented: “The Full Operating Capability
declaration for the MOD’s first TPS-77 radar at Trimingham, which is against
the Sheringham Shoal wind farm development, represents a major milestone
in the work to mitigate the effects of wind farms on military air defence
operations. The MOD has worked in partnership with Serco, The Crown Estate
and the Wind Industry to implement and subsequently optimise the radar
for its mitigation capability for the Sheringham Shoal wind farm. The experience
gained during this process builds on the Ministry Of Defence’s reputation
globally as a leading exponent of Air Defence radar wind farm mitigation.
This experience will be invaluable when assessing, on a case-by-case basis,
subsequent applications to use the TPS-77 radars for wind farm mitigation.”
Serco stated that it has been at the forefront
of providing a solution to the challenges posed to Air Defence capability
and radars by wind farms since the UK Government signalled its intention
to commit to securing 15% of electricity needs from renewable sources by
2020 (from 1990 levels).
The trade group RenewableUK has also been
heavily involved with this initiative. Chief Executive, Maria McCaffery,
added: “We’re delighted that the TPS-77 air defence radar at Trimingham
has been accepted by the Ministry of Defence. Its suitability for use at
Sheringham Shoal is a significant milestone for the industry, which could
result in the equipment being accepted in other projects. Serco has played
a pivotal role in addressing the MOD’s air defence radar concerns. We’re
proud of the contribution the wind industry has made and will continue
to support this initiative in the future.”