Access to wind resource data for Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim catalyzes prospecting and development

SEATTLE (April 30, 2009) – 3TIER today announced it has expanded the geographical coverage of its FirstLook Assessment Reports, which provide detailed estimates of wind resources for potential wind energy development locations, to include Western and Eastern Europe, much of Asia, and the Pacific Rim. Data for the expanded regions were derived using an innovative physical-statistical model, run through a 10-year simulation across the world’s landmass at a 5 km resolution. Data for the expanded regions has been validated to the same standard of accuracy established for the previously available reports for the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“FirstLook Assessment Reports provide a detailed look at the estimated wind regime in a given location, bridging the gap between basic prospecting and the deployment of observational resources,” said Kenneth Westrick, CEO and founder of 3TIER, the global leader in renewable energy assessment and forecasting information. “By expanding coverage of this scientifically rigorous, but cost-effective product, we can help shorten the development cycle in these regions of the world that have good wind resources, but currently lack reliable wind resource information.”

FirstLook Assessment Reports can be accessed through FirstLook® Prospecting, 3TIER’s dynamic, clickable online prospecting and assessment tool. To learn more about FirstLook Assessment Reports and Prospecting visit: firstlook.3tier.com

FirstLook Assessment Reports can be ordered and delivered online in minutes. Each report for a selected location includes:
• Average annual wind speed for the area around your site (50 km by 50 km or 31 miles by 31 miles).
• Average monthly wind speed and standard of error for each month of the year.
• The distribution of hourly wind speeds throughout the year.
• A wind rose for all hourly wind speeds during the year.
• The average hourly wind speed and standard of error for each hour of the day.
• Wind roses for each month of the year.
• Daily wind speed patterns for each month of the year.
“These reports deliver the essential information that developers, financiers and governments need to target the best regions in the world for data collection and higher resolution studies,” said Christian Sarason, FirstLook product manager. “FirstLook Assessment Reports fundamentally shorten the process needed to make sound decisions about where to invest in wind energy generation.”

The additional geographies now covered by FirstLook Assessment Reports include: Western and Eastern Europe; Asia, including China; India; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Nepal; Bangladesh and Myanmar; and the Pacific Rim, including Australia and New Zealand. 3TIER will release reports for additional geographical areas once proper validation is complete.

The geographical expansion of FirstLook Assessment Reports closely follow 3TIER’s recent opening of three additional global offices in key renewable energy markets, furthering 3TIER’s ability to serve clients around the world. The new offices in Germany, India and Australia will fully accommodate regional clients and compliment 3TIER’s headquarters in Seattle, and other offices in Washington D.C. and Panama.

To learn more about the science, methodology and global validation statistics of the map and dataset, a white paper is also available through FirstLook.

In addition to FirstLook, 3TIER provides a full suite of assessment and forecasting products for wind, hydro and solar energy projects. 3TIER uses its knowledge about weather, climate and their impacts on weather-driven renewable energy resources to help clients make better decisions about their investments – before, during and after their projects are built.

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ABOUT 3TIER

Founded in 1999, Seattle-based 3TIER is one of the largest independent providers of wind, solar and hydro energy assessment and power forecasting worldwide. People around the world turn to 3TIER when they want the best scientific information to make decisions about renewable energy projects — from the prospecting stage to operations. For more information, visit 3tier.com.