Multiscale Finite Elements for Transient Advection-Diffusion Equations through Advection-Induced Coordinates

Abstract

Long simulation times in climate science typically require coarse grids due to computational constraints. Nonetheless, unresolved subscale information significantly influences the prognostic variables and cannot be neglected for reliable long-term simulations. This is typically done via parametrizations, but their coupling to the coarse grid variables often involves simple heuristics. We explore a novel upscaling approach inspired by multiscale finite element methods. These methods are well established in porous media applications, where mostly stationary or quasi stationary situations prevail. In advection-dominated problems arising in climate simulations, the approach needs to be adjusted. We do so by performing coordinate transforms that make the effect of transport milder in the vicinity of coarse element boundaries. The idea of our method is quite general, and we demonstrate it as a proof-of-concept on a one-dimensional passive advection-diffusion equation with oscillatory background velocity and diffusion.