Windar Photonics PLC (LON:WPHO) has started work with a top Danish technical institute to improve its LiDAR wind turbine optimisation system.

DTU Wind is a specialist in meteorology, turbine technology and power system integration.

To fund the work the two groups will receive a combined cash grant of €1mln over two years, split equally, from Danish tech agency the EUDP.

As wind turbines tend to be erected in clusters (farms) the wind flow is drastically different to single sites due to the turbulence and wake generated by the nearby turbines.

The aim of the project is to develop a robust wake detection system and new wind turbine control algorithms and strategies.

LiDAR uses laser guidance to position wind turbines in the best spot for the prevailing wind conditions.

A wake-detection feature would reduce induced turbulence and give Windar a better stab at accessing the OEM market.

Jørgen Korsgaard, Windar’s interim chief executive, said the partnership with DTU marked a new era for the company.

As well as a wake–detection device, DTU Wind will work on new turbine control algorithms and strategies to integrate and use of the data provided by the LiDAR systems in the most effective way, he said.

This is the third consecutive EUDP-sponsored project involving Windar, DTU Wind and DTU Photonics, added Korsgaard.