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Fog Signals for UK’s Largest Wind Farm

Tideland Signal's AB-560 fog signals have been chosen to warn shipping in the vicinity of what will be the UK's largest wind farm at Lynn and Inner Dowsing in the Greater Wash, off the Lincolnshire coast. 

Tideland’s AB-560 fog signal.
Tideland’s AB-560 fog signal.

The two wind farms are 5 km offshore and each contain 27 turbines with a combined capacity of 180MW. Tideland is supplying a total of 11 fog signals, which will be placed at strategic points within the chain of turbines, giving a warning audible at up to two miles.

The Tideland AB-560 fog signal incorporates five drivers/emitters producing 133.2 dB at 1m equivalent and with a usual range of 2NM. It broadcasts a 360º sound beam in the horizontal plane, with a pre-selected code and can be operated either from mains power using a battery charger and battery, or DC power using primary depolarized cells or a solar power system.

The drivers/emitters are housed in robust GRP casings and are mounted in a galvanized steel structure designed to withstand severe storms. They operate at less than 25% of rated capacity, which results in exceptional efficiency and life expectancy.

Lynn and Inner Dowsing were acquired by Centrica, parent company of British Gas, in December 2003. Initial civil engineering work began in November 2006 and turbine installation and commissioning will take place during 2008, while full operation is expected by the end of that year. Power will be transmitted to shore via subsea cables and then by underground cables to a new substation at Middlemarch, Skegness.

Together, the two wind farms are expected to provide enough power for 130,000 homes and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.

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Tideland’s

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