Vertical and Lateral Wind Coherence Estimation Using Three Synchronized Continuous-Wave Lidars

Abstract Synchronized triple-lidar systems, such as the short-range WindScanner technology, enable high-resolution reconstruction of three-component turbulent wind fields. In this study, such a system is employed to examine vertical and lateral co-coherence in a coastal environment for spatial separations ranging from 30 to 120 m. The coherence estimates are classified by atmospheric stability, determined from high-frequency sonic-anemometer measurements along a meteorological mast. The sonic recordings further serve as a reference to validate the vertical coherence derived from the WindScanner system. The comparison reveals that the lidars reliably capture the dependence of coherence on separation distance, measurement height, and atmospheric stability for all three wind-velocity components. The results are used to derive the stability-dependent parameters of an empirical coherence model. The obtained decay coefficients may serve as input to stochastic wind modelling tools to reduce uncertainties in wind turbine simulations under non-neutral atmospheric conditions.