EnBW develops augmented reality app for visualisation of wind power plants
Stuttgart/Husum, Germany. On 14 September 2021, the digital team of EnBW presents a so far unique app with an associated web portal for extensive visualisations of objects that characterize the landscape, such as wind turbines. With the app called REVisAR (Renewable Energy Visualisation (with) Augmented Reality), all those involved in a wind power project can get a realistic representation of the planned wind turbine and its embedding in the landscape at an early stage.
The REVisAR app enables geographically correct, realistic and fully animated representations. Rotor rotation, orientation of the nacelle, orientation of the rotor blades and rotor surface, sky detection, shadows cast and position of the sun at certain times as well as all common types of wind turbines can be displayed with the app.
Up to now, project developers in the wind energy sector have used elaborate 2D maps to illustrate and present their plans. In the advanced stages of the project, photomontages are then produced with considerable effort, which cannot take many factors into account.
In the case of spatially significant construction projects, those involved are often confronted with the problem that it is difficult to estimate the effects on the landscape. Especially in the case of wind power projects, the complex spatial dimensions of current wind turbines (WT) sometimes exceed human imagination.
Product owner Philipp Hölscher expects a significant reduction in workload and new speed in the representation of wind turbines in the landscape: "We can ensure transparency for all parties involved much faster and earlier in the project development phase. In addition, the multilingual and multi-client capable app is really child's play to use and even works offline."
Mark Zimmermann, team leader for mobile software solutions at EnBW, is proud of his team: "With REVisAR, we have developed a unique application that opens up many more possibilities and is an exciting part of EnBW's digital strategy." Zimmermann also sees possible applications in the area of photovoltaics as well as offshore wind energy, where the general conditions are even more challenging.
About EnBW
With over 24,000 employees, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG is one of the largest energy companies in Germany and Europe, supplying around 5.5 million customers with electricity, gas and water as well as providing energy solutions and energy-related services. Since 2012, EnBW has reacted to the fundamental changes of the German „Energiewende“ with a far-reaching corporate transformation and aims to play a leading role in reshaping the energy sector. EnBW strategy focuses on the massive expansion of renewable energies and grids, accompanied by the development of sustainable mobility and intelligent infrastructure solutions.