A set of accurate wind measurement data serves as the foundational support for a wind farm from planning through operations. The return on investment for a wind power project is often determined from the moment the wind tower is erected. However, industry data shows that more than half of wind towers are abandoned or dismantled after construction, and even those still in operation generally lack proper maintenance and management. This reality stands in stark contrast to the central role that wind towers play throughout the entire wind power project lifecycle.

Wind measurement data — the first line of defense for wind power investment
From macro-siting to feasibility studies, from turbine selection to power forecasting, wind towers span the entire lifecycle of a wind power project. There is a consensus within the industry that for low-wind-speed wind farms, a wind speed measurement error of 0.1 m/s is sufficient to cause a deviation of more than 2% in return on investment. After a wind farm becomes operational, the wind tower likewise serves as a critical input for the wind power forecasting system. According to NB/T 31046-2013 "Function Specification for Wind Power Forecasting System of Wind Farm," wind power forecasts must be based on real-time transmitted wind tower data, with a data availability rate requirement exceeding 99%.

Why wind towers struggle to operate reliably over the long term
The challenges facing wind towers in actual operation are considerable. On the one hand, some wind towers are installed solely for preliminary resource assessment, with siting that lacks long-term representativeness; once their initial task is completed, they are abandoned. On the other hand, equipment damage, signal interruptions, and sensor accuracy drift caused by severe weather often exceed the capacity of operations and maintenance teams to comprehensively address. The core components of wind towers are the sensors, and harsh environmental conditions such as snowfall, icing, and sandstorms directly affect measurement accuracy and equipment lifespan.

New national standard takes effect, steering the industry toward standardization
In October 2025, the national standard GB/T 46246-2025 "Wind energy generation systems — Wind energy resource measurement based on wind measurement equipment installed on wind towers, nacelles, and radomes" officially came into effect, providing unified technical specifications for the selection, installation, maintenance, and data quality assessment of wind measurement equipment. The industry is shifting from extensive to refined practices, placing higher demands on the accuracy, stability, and environmental adaptability of wind measurement sensors.

A domestically manufactured sensor compliant with the new national standard
Under this standard framework, Maritech's wind speed and direction sensors offer a reliable domestically produced option for wind tower applications. This is an integrated compact propeller-type wind speed and direction sensor, specifically developed for meteorological observation and wind tower use. The product features the following characteristics:

1. Low wind-speed startup and high accuracy across the full range
   The propeller-type design gives the sensor an extremely low startup wind speed, enabling it to begin operation even under light breeze conditions, ensuring that data collection during low-wind-speed periods is not lost. The sensor calculates wind speed through propeller rotation speed and determines wind direction via tail vane angle, with Hall-effect signal acquisition providing a mature and reliable solution that maintains stable and accurate wind measurement performance across the entire wind speed range, effectively safeguarding the continuity and accuracy of wind tower data.

2. Corrosion resistance and anti-aging properties for harsh outdoor environments
   The product uses UV-resistant and oxidation-resistant AAS+PC plastic materials, ensuring that the sensor does not undergo plasticization or yellowing during prolonged outdoor use. Combined with stainless steel bearings and precision structural design, it effectively resists the effects of marine climates, sandstorms, freezing rain, and other harsh environmental conditions, making it particularly suitable for long-term unattended wind tower operations.

3. Lightweight design for convenient installation and maintenance
   This series features a compact size and light weight, requiring no complex tools for on-site installation, and can be set up by a single person. The streamlined structural design reduces moving parts and lowers the probability of malfunctions, sparing maintenance personnel from frequent tower climbing and significantly reducing on-site operational difficulty and maintenance costs.

With the implementation of the standard and the maturation of products working in tandem, the wind measurement sensor industry is moving toward standardization and refinement. For wind power projects, prioritizing the quality of wind measurement data is to build the first line of defense for investment returns.

Some data in this article are referenced from Wind Energy magazine and related industry reports.