WEICan Completes Testing of Vindicator Laser Wind Sensor Prototype

Catch the Wind Ltd. (TSX-V: CTW.S), developer and manufacturer of the Vindicator laser wind sensor (LWS) and other sensor products, announced today that the Wind Energy Institute of Canada (WEICan), Canada's leading research institute for wind energy systems, has completed its final performance testing of a prototype of the Company's Vindicator laser wind sensor (LWS).

The Phase II test results demonstrated that the Vindicator LWS was able to successfully control the wind turbine rotor direction in alignment with the oncoming wind for increased energy output. Phase I test results were reported on October 21, 2008.

"Our evaluation project resulted in the demonstration of the concept that a laser-based wind sensor could successfully control the yaw direction of a wind turbine," said Paul Dockrill, Director of Technology, WEICan. "We look forward to working with Catch the Wind as it continues to bring its laser wind sensor technology to market."

Yaw control, which involves aligning a turbine's blades perpendicular to the oncoming wind, has traditionally been a reactive process using weather vane-like instruments that are located to sense the wind after it has passed through the rotor blades. Catch the Wind's laser wind sensor, which determines wind speed and direction as it approaches the turbine rotor, makes it possible to proactively position a turbine for optimal alignment. Improving yaw control alignment is a key requirement of the wind energy industry as it results in reduced stress loads and improved energy production output.

To the knowledge of the Company, the test with WEICan was the first time in the history of the wind energy industry that a laser wind sensor was integrated into an operating wind turbine to report wind speed and direction for turbine control.

"Since our launch, our goal has been to work closely with all members of the wind energy industry to help them reduce a turbine's operating costs and improve its energy output, and the Wind Energy Institute of Canada provided the first technical validation of a turbine mounted, feed-forward laser wind sensor," said Phil Rogers, President and CEO of Catch the Wind Ltd. "Our latest test results once again validate the effectiveness of our technology and our ability to address the economic challenges facing wind farm operators and turbine manufacturers alike."

Source: http://www.catchthewindinc.com