Investigation and validation of wake model combinations for large wind farm modelling in neutral atmospheric boundary layers

Abstract

This study is focused on assessing the ability of two refined large wind farm models to describe the disturbance of the neutral atmospheric flow caused by large offshore wind farms. Sensitivity studies of internal boundary layer parameters are carried out. An optimum large wind farm correction is then proposed and combined with two different standard single wake models, the Park and EVM models. The large wind farm wake effect is evaluated and validated against measurements of two offshore wind farms at Horns Rev and Nysted and four standard wake models by computing velocity deficit and normalized power. All large wind farm models proposed were able to capture wake width to some degree and the decrease of power output moving through the wind farm. Despite some uncertainties, this very promising model combinations allows us to take into account the slowdown in large wind farms.