Leicestershire, UK, 15 November 2017 – Highly accurate 3D models from Bluesky are being used to communicate plans for a new offshore wind farm in Scotland. The interactive models allow users to ‘teleport’ around a virtual environment, viewing the proposed turbine development from the coast in the real world context of existing buildings and trees. Created by environmental consultancy company SLR and commissioned by Inch Cape Offshore Limited (ICOL), the scale 3D model has already been used for public consultations and a visual impact study for the proposed scheme off the east coast.
Created from high resolution aerial photography, the data supplied by Bluesky included a detailed and accurate 3D model of existing buildings and structures, together with a database of the exact locations of every tree in the study area. Using the Bluesky data, SLR created a virtual reality model showing the proposed offshore wind farm, which will be home to up to 72 turbines and be sited around 15 kilometres off the Angus coastline. Covering an area of approximately 150 km2, the project represents an important investment in Scotland’s energy and could provide power for around half a million households.
The SLR 3D model includes an interface which allows the user to transfer between certain locations within the model using a postcode search function, a scrollable map, place markers and predefined viewpoints, including places of interest and substations. In order to fully understand the visual impact of the proposed development, the model includes the option to ‘switch on’ and ‘switch off’ the turbines and navigate the model in bird’s eye view mode as well as at ground level.
“As well as the Bluesky building model data, we also used a map of tree locations to enhance the visual aspect of the model,” commented Robert Myers, Principal Visualisation and Virtual Reality Specialist at SLR. “The data points were input into the scene and this allowed the VR engine to generate generic tree models. The accuracy of the data was paramount in order to create a credible representation of the scene, and knowing we could achieve this using the Bluesky data was critical to the project’s success.”
The SLR model has already been viewed by members of the public at pre-application consultation events, hosted by ICOL – a wholly owned subsidiary of Edinburgh based Red Rock Power, in Arbroath and St Andrews. The model will also inform an investigation of the landscape visual impact assessment of the proposed wind farm.
About Bluesky
Bluesky is a specialist in aerial survey including aerial photography, LiDAR and thermal data, using the very latest survey technology, including two UltraCam Eagles and a Teledyne Optech Galaxy LiDAR system integrated with a PhaseOne camera and thermal sensor. An internationally recognised leader with projects extending around the globe, Bluesky is proud to work with prestigious organisations such as Google, the BBC and Government Agencies. Bluesky has unrivalled expertise in the creation of seamless, digital aerial photography and maintains national “off the shelf” coverage of aerial photography, DTM and DSM through an ongoing three-year update programme. By purchasing a world first sensor for the simultaneous capture of LiDAR, Thermal and Aerial Photography data, Bluesky is in the enviable position of being able to provide customers with unique and cost effective solutions. Bluesky is leading the way in developing innovative solutions for environmental applications, including the UK’s first National Tree Map (NTM), solar mapping and citywide ‘heat loss’ maps and is currently developing noise and air quality mapping products. www.bluesky-world.com