Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site
This investigation presents a modelling strategy for wind-energy studies in complex terrains using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A model, based on an unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach with a modified version of the standard k-ε model, is applied. A validation s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2019-05-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/10/1992 |
| _version_ | 1798006130938478592 |
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| author | Asmae El Bahlouli Alexander Rautenberg Martin Schön Kjell zum Berge Jens Bange Hermann Knaus |
| author_facet | Asmae El Bahlouli Alexander Rautenberg Martin Schön Kjell zum Berge Jens Bange Hermann Knaus |
| author_sort | Asmae El Bahlouli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This investigation presents a modelling strategy for wind-energy studies in complex terrains using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A model, based on an unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach with a modified version of the standard k-ε model, is applied. A validation study based on the Leipzig experiment shows the ability of the model to simulate atmospheric boundary layer characteristics such as the Coriolis force and shallow boundary layer. By combining the results of the model and a design of experiments (DoE) method, we could determine the degree to which the slope, the leaf area index, and the forest height of an escarpment have an effect on the horizontal velocity, the flow inclination angle, and the turbulent kinetic energy at critical positions. The DoE study shows that the primary contributor at a turbine-relevant height is the slope of the escarpment. In the second step, the method is extended to the WINSENT test site. The model is compared with measurements from an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). We show the potential of the methodology and the satisfactory results of our model in depicting some interesting flow features. The results indicate that the wakes with high turbulence levels downstream of the escarpment are likely to impact the rotor blade of future wind turbines. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:50:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-dee380d7292740ad9687a000818f97e9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T12:50:12Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-dee380d7292740ad9687a000818f97e92022-12-22T04:23:14ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732019-05-011210199210.3390/en12101992en12101992Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test SiteAsmae El Bahlouli0Alexander Rautenberg1Martin Schön2Kjell zum Berge3Jens Bange4Hermann Knaus5Faculty of Building Services-Energy-Environment, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, 73728 Esslingen, GermanyCenter for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tübingen, GermanyCenter for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tübingen, GermanyCenter for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tübingen, GermanyCenter for Applied Geoscience, Eberhard Karls University, 72074 Tübingen, GermanyFaculty of Building Services-Energy-Environment, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences, 73728 Esslingen, GermanyThis investigation presents a modelling strategy for wind-energy studies in complex terrains using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). A model, based on an unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach with a modified version of the standard k-ε model, is applied. A validation study based on the Leipzig experiment shows the ability of the model to simulate atmospheric boundary layer characteristics such as the Coriolis force and shallow boundary layer. By combining the results of the model and a design of experiments (DoE) method, we could determine the degree to which the slope, the leaf area index, and the forest height of an escarpment have an effect on the horizontal velocity, the flow inclination angle, and the turbulent kinetic energy at critical positions. The DoE study shows that the primary contributor at a turbine-relevant height is the slope of the escarpment. In the second step, the method is extended to the WINSENT test site. The model is compared with measurements from an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). We show the potential of the methodology and the satisfactory results of our model in depicting some interesting flow features. The results indicate that the wakes with high turbulence levels downstream of the escarpment are likely to impact the rotor blade of future wind turbines.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/10/1992wind simulationcomplex terrainunsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS)design of experiments (DoE)unmanned aircraft system (UAS) |
| spellingShingle | Asmae El Bahlouli Alexander Rautenberg Martin Schön Kjell zum Berge Jens Bange Hermann Knaus Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site Energies wind simulation complex terrain unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) design of experiments (DoE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) |
| title | Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site |
| title_full | Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site |
| title_fullStr | Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site |
| title_short | Comparison of CFD Simulation to UAS Measurements for Wind Flows in Complex Terrain: Application to the WINSENT Test Site |
| title_sort | comparison of cfd simulation to uas measurements for wind flows in complex terrain application to the winsent test site |
| topic | wind simulation complex terrain unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) design of experiments (DoE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/10/1992 |
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