Sgurr Energy deploys new wind assessment equipment –
Sgurr Energy, the renewable energy consultancy which emerged from a community project over a decade ago and has since grown to a worldwide business - has reached another milestone by deploying their new second generation LIDAR wind measuring device.
Sgurr’s Implementation Director, Steve MacDonald attended the Energy North Annual Awards Dinner in Inverness last week and commented that the firm’s new LIDAR Equipment represented a major leap forward in wind resource assessment. A community project was the catalyst for Sgurr’s formation back in 2002.
Community renewable energy projects have led to the creation and growth of numerous businesses supplying technical advice and installing community renewables. Civil engineering firms, professional services firms and installers have all benefitted from involvement with community energy schemes. This early source of work has been a springboard for business growth.
LIDAR uses laser technology to establish wind speeds and direction on a three dimensional basis. Sgurr’s Galion LIDAR is seen as the state of the art in this technology. It is especially useful in offshore locations. For land based measurement it does not even require planning consent unlike a traditional anemometer mast.
Sgurr Energy is a leader in assessing projects and undertaking due diligence for many lenders. The firm recognises that the wind data gathered must be accurate and robust enough to support investment in the developments proposed.
Sgurr now has offices worldwide, but its founding directors Steve McDonald and Ian Irvine set up the business as a result of working on a community wind project on the Isle of Muck, back in 1999. Sgurr continues to be involved in new projects in Scotland providing due diligence and participates in the Scotland Malawi Partnership, where Community Energy Scotland and the University of Strathclyde are also involved.
