Modelling Hail and Convective storms with WRF for Wind Energy Applications

Abstract

Hail events are relatively rare, but hailstones (solid ice 'balls' ranging in diameter from 6 mm (pea) to 110 mm (softball)) have the potential to damage the leading edge of wind turbine blades causing reduced aerodynamic efficiency. Thus, hail is an important component of wind turbine operating conditions. Until recently hail occurrence was poorly (and subjectively) reported, but deployment of dual-polarization RADAR at National Weather Service (NWS) sites across the USA has revolutionized our detection abilities. Implementation of new microphysics parameterizations for the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model have also greatly enhanced model capabilities. Here we present an evaluation of the WRF simulation of hail relative data from the RADAR observations conducted as part of a project with the ultimate goal of quantifying leading edge erosion potential.