The value of advanced WRA measurements: Are they worth it?

Presentation Description: Advanced measurement techniques are available to assess the wind resource, but these technologies are expensive and the return on investment is not always clear. In this paper, the author presents a simple but powerful metric for assessing the value of advanced measurement techniques. First, the baseline uncertainty levels are established, and the reduction in uncertainty from each measurement device is estimated. An uncertainty threshold is established for debt, and the increase in debt due to reduction uncertainty is evaluated. Value is created by increasing debt and reducing equity. This simple but powerful metric is used to evaluate different advanced measurement techniques, and can be applied more generally as a cost/benefit tool for evaluating measurement plans.