Catch the Wind provides update on field trial with Nebraska Public Power
District
Successful trial results lead to purchase of the Company's Vindicator(R)
Laser Wind Sensor
MANASSAS, VA, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Catch the Wind Ltd. (TSX-V:
CTW.S) today announced the successful completion of its field trial program
with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD). Under the trial program, the
Vindicator(R) Laser Wind Sensor (LWS) significantly increased power output and
simultaneously reduced the off-axis stress loads of the NPPD test turbine, as
demonstrated by third-party instrumentation provided by SWANtech's
SWANwind(TM) Condition Monitoring System. Based on the results, NPPD will be
finalizing the purchase of the Vindicator(R) LWS unit.
"Consistent with our expectations, the Vindicator Laser Wind Sensor's forward
wind measurement capabilities were able to improve the alignment of a turbine
against the oncoming wind and thus significantly increased power output while
reducing equipment stress loads," said Phil Rogers, President and CEO, Catch
the Wind Ltd. "The encouraging results of our field trial with Nebraska Public
Power District provide further validation of the benefits our technology
offers to wind farm operators and turbine manufacturers."
"With our long association with NPPD providing unique measurements of stress
loads on their entire fleet of turbines at Ainsworth, we were pleased to serve
as the validating technology for the Vindicator trial," said Tony Amato,
President, SWANtech, a business unit of Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company.
"Compared to traditional condition monitoring, SWANtech was able to confirm a
noticeable reduction in stress loads (SWE(TM)) on the wind turbine drive
train. Along with reductions in SWE, SWANtech was able to confirm differences
in yaw position and blade pitch angle, which resulted in a noted increase in
power on the turbine outfitted with the Vindicator system, when compared to
the adjacent turbines on same ridge that were simultaneously monitored for the
trial. Reductions in stress loads, increases in operational efficiencies as
well as the potential of higher power output make the initial results of this
trial very exciting."
As reported previously, Catch the Wind and NPPD agreed to a trial program,
which commenced in July 2009, to evaluate how using forward measurement of
wind speed and direction can optimally align wind turbines with the
approaching wind and reduce the off-axis stress loads on turbines. A beta
production model of the Company's Vindicator(R) Laser Wind Sensor (LWS) unit
was integrated with the control system of a working Vestas turbine located at
NPPD's Ainsworth Wind Energy Facility located near Ainsworth, Nebraska. The
facility has 36 large wind turbines, each capable of generating up to 1.65
megawatts of energy, for a combined total of 59.4 megawatts.
Catch the Wind is focused on making wind energy more profitable. The company
is commercializing new technology that is designed to improve the performance
of a turbine through the effective forward measurement of the wind, resulting
in more energy production and reduced maintenance costs.
About Catch the Wind Ltd.
Catch the Wind Ltd. is a high-growth technology company headquartered in
Manassas, Virginia. The company was founded in 2008 to develop and manufacture
the Vindicator(R) laser wind sensor.
Catch the Wind serves the commercial market sector for laser based wind sensor
systems, recognized as the "gold standard" in wind measurement. The company is
focused on becoming a major contributor in making clean, renewable wind energy
more affordable and profitable. For more information, visit
www.catchthewindinc.com.
About SWANtech
SWANtech is a business unit of Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company, the flow
control segment of Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW). SWANtech utilizes
its patented Stress Wave Analysis (SWAN(TM)) technology to track operational
effects on mechanical equipment, quantify and track wear and to determine the
existence of defects and damage. For more information, please visit
www.swantech.com
Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve risks,
uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance,
prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in such
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release,
include, but are not limited to, economic performance and future plans and
objectives of Catch the Wind. Any number of important factors could cause
actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as
well as future results. Although Catch the Wind believes that the assumptions
and factors used in making the forward-looking statements are reasonable,
undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as
of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such
events will occur in the disclosed timeframes or at all. Catch the Wind
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Catch the Wind Ltd.
Catch the Wind Ltd., Claudia Jaques, Vice President and General Counsel, (703)
393-0754, cjaques@catchthewindinc.com; The Equicom Group, Joe Racanelli,
Investor Relations, (416) 815-0700 ext. 243, jracanelli@equicomgroup.com;
SWANtech, Reuben Wunder, Director Global Service, (954) 332-6710 ext 206,
rwunder@swantech.com
