Innovative virtual computational domain based on wind rose diagrams for micrositing small wind turbines

Abstract

The use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) as design tool is widespread in engineering applications, including wind engineering. The objective of this research was to implement a new scheme for wind energy evaluation by integrating CFD studies for the optimal placement of small wind turbines in an urban environment. This approach is a cost-effective method, as compared to conventional methods, to develop feasibility studies for the implementation of wind projects. Traditional CFD wind studies are performed using the prevailing wind speed, i.e., unidirectional flows. As an innovation, in this work, CFD simulations of multidirectional flows, such as those depicted by the wind roses, are proposed. This approach makes it possible to characterize the wind resource as triacontakaihexagonal prism, named the virtual computational domain (VCD). The VCD implementation enables simulations with greater representation of and fidelity to the behavior of wind in the environment, thereby making it possible to locate wind emplacements optimally. In addition, factors such as turbulence, roughness, wind speed, and direction are considered. The VCD is found to be accurate, with balance between the efficiency of computational speeds and memory requirements. The results show that VCD improved the micrositing of wind turbines, as compared with conventional CFD studies.