A hybrid BEM-CFD model for effective numerical siting analyses of wind turbines in the urban environment

Abstract

The analysis of wind turbine wakes and their interaction with other machines installed in the same array or park has become a key element in the current wind energy research. If in case of siting of large rotors for energy production the use of high-fidelity CFD simulations is well established yet, there is still a lack of knowledge in the analysis of proper wind turbine siting for small wind turbines, which are typically installed in quite complex environments. The present study provides the description and validation of a hybrid BEM-CFD model for the analysis of wind turbine performance and wake structure. With respect to similar existing methods, the proposed one includes a specific correction of turbulence parameters able to make it compatible for use in combination with the standard settings of the turbulence models needed to properly describe the wind profile in the urban environment. The model was then used to carry out a demonstrative sensitivity analysis on the proper siting of a small wind turbine in the rooftop of a typical tall building in a densely built environment.