Atmospheric Boundary Layers (JM)

Until now, the detailed atmospheric flow calculations at potential wind turbine sites have been done assuming that the atmospheric stratification is insignificant, that the height of the atmospheric boundary layer does not influence the flow over topography and large wind turbine parks. We know that these assumptions are not well satisfied and that stability influences the flow even at heights below the rotors of today's wind turbines. In this task, we extend the flow model to incorporate stratified atmospheric flow over topography and forests. In addition to mean wind profiles, the atmospheric stratification also has a strong influence on the spatial structure of turbulence, which is important for dynamical loads on turbines. These issues must be addressed in order to reduce the uncertainty of the wind resource estimation and dynamical loads.

Expected results: Models of the atmospheric flow over terrain that take into account stability effects and boundary layer height. A model of the three-dimensional structure of turbulence affected by atmospheric stability and suited for inflow turbulence simulation.

Milestones; Task 5 (JM)