Numerical simulation and model prediction of complex wind-turbine wakes

Abstract

ABSTRACT An accurate description of incoming wind condition is supposed to be a prerequisite for reliable wake simulations. Taking into account the presence of wind shear effect and the vertical profiles of flow quantities in the atmospheric boundary layer flow, a numerical simulation of complex wind-turbine wakes is conducted by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations, with a simple actuator disc model implemented for the rotor effects. The Reynolds Stress Model is introduced to account for the anisotropy of atmospheric turbulence. In addition to the computational fluid dynamics means, a three-dimensional analytical wake model is developed for wake prediction. The results of both numerical simulation and model prediction are applied for validations through several cases, and proved to be of good accuracy in wind-turbine wake modeling.