An assessment of a three-beam Doppler lidar wind profiling method for use in urban areas

• Published in: Journal of wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics 2013-08, Vol.119, p.53-59
• Main Authors: Lane, S.E., Barlow, J.F., Wood, C.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessments; Doppler; Doppler beam swinging; Doppler effect; Doppler lidar; Lidar; Profiling; Remote sensing; Sampling; Urban areas; Urban boundary layer; Wind profiling; Wind speed
• ISSN: 0167-6105; 1872-8197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jweia.2013.05.010

Currently there are few observations of the urban wind field at heights other than rooftop level. Remote sensing instruments such as Doppler lidars provide wind speed data at many heights, which would be useful in determining wind loadings of tall buildings, and predicting local air quality. Studies comparing remote sensing with traditional anemometers carried out in flat, homogeneous terrain often use scan patterns which take several minutes. In an urban context the flow changes quickly in space and time, so faster scans are required to ensure little change in the flow over the scan period. We compare 3993h of wind speed data collected using a three-beam Doppler lidar wind profiling method with data from a sonic anemometer (190m). Both instruments are located in central London, UK; a highly built-up area. Based on wind profile measurements every 2min, the uncertainty in the hourly mean wind speed due to the sampling frequency is 0.05–0.11ms−1. The lidar tended to overestimate the wind speed by ≈0.5ms−1 for wind speeds below 20ms−1. Accuracy may be improved by increasing the scanning frequency of the lidar. This method is considered suitable for use in urban areas. [Display omitted] •There is a need for more wind speed data collected above rooftop level in cities.•Remote sensing instruments can measure throughout the boundary layer.•Rapid evolution of the flow above cities means a short scan time is needed.•Data using a 3-beam Doppler lidar profiling method was compared with an anemometer.•The 3-beam method was found to be suitable for use in urban areas.