Study Of The Influence Of Atmospheric turbulence On The Asymptotic wake Deficit In A very Long Line Of Wind Turbines

The influence of atmospheric turbulence on the development of the flow along a long row of wind turbines is studied, in search for an asymptotic wake deficit state. Calculations are performed using EllipSys3D, a CFD code that solves the Navier-Stokes equations in their incompressible form using a finite volume approach. In this code, the Large Eddy Simulation technique is used for modelling turbulence, and the wind turbine rotors are represented as actuator disks whose loading is determined through the use of tabulated airfoil data by applying the blade-element method. Ten turbines are located along a row and separated from each other by seven rotor diameters, which is representative of the distance used in today’s offshore wind farms. Turbulence is pregenerated with the Mann model, with imposed turbulent levels of 4.5 and 8.9%. The turbines are in this study isolated from their environment, as no effect from the ground is modeled. This makes the proposed study of the asymptotic wake state behavior easier. Analysis of the characteristics of the flow as a function of the position along the row of turbines is performed in terms of turbulence intensity, mean velocity, and power spectra of the velocity fluctuations. Power production along the row of turbines is also used as an indicator. Calculations are performed below rated power, where a generator torque controller implemented in EllipSys3D renders it possible for the turbines to adapt to the inlet conditions in which they operate. The results obtained for the turbulence intensity, power and mean velocity as a function of downstream distance show that an asymptotic wake state seems close to be reached near the end of the 10 turbine row. They also show a certain dependency on the imposed level of turbulence. Uncertainties obtained in the power spectra of the velocity fluctuations suggest that further investigation is necessary.<p>Also published in Renewable Energy 70 (2014), 153–163, DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2014.05.009