Aerodynamic response of wind turbines in complex terrain to atmospheric boundary layer flows

Abstract

This paper deals with a comparison of measurement and simulation data collected for a complex terrain in southern Germany. Moreover, a Delayed-Detached-Eddy-Simulations (DES) of a wind turbine in the same terrain is presented. The turbine chosen is a generic 2.4, MW wind turbine and a turbulent atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is applied. The ABL is generated based on measurement data. The influence of complex terrain on the turbine performance is shown as well as its impact on the general flow field. An increase of loads can be noticed caused by the speed-up in the terrain. In addition, the upward flow causes non-axial inflow angles and leads to a deflection of the turbine wake.