New Executable Available For Download (version 0.7)

Hello everyone,

I am happy to be able to announce that there is a new version available. Changes in this version include

=> Added support for new WRB file format - please contact us if you want to support this format. We can help.
=> Added support for masked WRGs (from WAsP)
=> Added import for GeoTIFFs
=> Added new folder layer for organising layers
=> Added Environmentally Sensitive point layer
=> Added mass-conservation windflow model - please use with care!
=> Added visual impact as fraction of horizon in degrees
=> Fixed optimiser so that large layout perturbation time is no longer proportional N! (much faster)
=> Removed 10% wake loss limit when growing layouts (now set at 50%)
=> Numerous other small fixes
=> Added optimisation with respect to visual impact
=> Added ISO9613 noise model
=> Added optimisation with respect to noise limits
=> Changed TurbineType dialog to load turbines from file as new turbines rather than overwriting the current turbine
=> Added abstract base class for layers containing WRGs
=> Added Grid4d structure
=> Added KML camera output for viewpoints
=> Added autosave feature to safeguard long optimisations.
=> Added "Open Entire Directory" menu item for windNavigator deliverables.
=> Added unvalidated displacement height option to windflow model - please use with care!
=> Added drag and drop for files

Which I hope will help to make your lives easier.

Also, we have updated the theory and validation document to include the Eddy Viscosity model and turbulence intensity.

It's been a very busy 3 months for me and although there are still several significant additions yet to be made to the open source version such as shadow flicker, directional curtailment etc. I feel that openWind is fast approaching the time when it could be termed a fully featured wind-farm design tool.

Now obviously, with so many radical additions in such a short time, there are likely to be bugs but I have the choice of either keeping all this goodness to myself or sharing it with you and letting you tell me what is wrong with it.

My apologies to all those whose suggestions are not yet there in this version. Please don't be afraid to remind me and I will get around to it.

IMPORTANT: the new windflow model in openWind is to be used at your own risk. It is known to have flaws and should not be relied upon for accuracy. We're putting it out there for the community to use and improve. This is no substitute for getting your windmap made by a company that specialises in that. We have not validated the output of the model in this configuration and will not stand by its results.

I will be posting to the FAQ on how to use the various new features over the coming days and weeks. If you have questions now then please ask them in the forums or if you're going to be at EWEC in Marseilles next weeek, come to the Meteosim Truewind stand and I'll be happy to give you a demo.

Cheers,

Nick