MS#01.11 Understanding the physics and aerodynamics of atmospheric flow for predicting wind power production and evaluating loads

B. MENDEZ LOPEZ¹, J. MANN², S. WATSON³
¹ CENER|² DTU|³ TUDelft Wind resource, metocean and extreme conditions

Wind resource, metocean and extreme conditions

As wind turbines grow bigger and taller, their rotors are increasing impacted by a greater range of turbulent atmospheric flow features, while airborne wind energy systems operate at even higher altitudes. This increasing atmospheric height of interest currently lays between the current numerical models at the microscale and the mesoscale. We particularly welcome contributions from the EU projects aligned with these questions: Aire, Meridional, and FLOW, but also welcome other abstracts associated with those subjects.  Further, the data integration of the models of these different altitudes is still scarce. Thus, there is a need for an improved understanding of atmospheric flow physics, particularly when predicting wind power production and designing wind energy technology components. This requires knowledge concerning the inflow such as turbulence, veer and shear.

However, parameters such as humidity, precipitation and particulates (e.g. sand) affect performance and loads and their characteristics need to be fully understood when considering component design, wind farm planning and O&M strategies. This mini symposium will incorporate research into the use of observational data and modelling tools of various fidelities and how they are combined to better understand flow structures over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Presentations will show how model chains can be used to predict surface and airborne wind plant performance, estimate loads, and reduce uncertainty in the design and operation of wind energy generation systems.