Numerical simulation of multiple interacting wind turbines on a complex terrain

Abstract Modern wind farms are subjected to significant aerodynamic interference due to unsteady wakes of individual turbines as well as the complex terrains on which they are erected. The present study uses a new mixed basis formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations to numerically simulate turbines on a complex terrain. The turbines are modeled using a distribution of momentum sources. A finite-volume procedure (SIMPLER algorithm) is used to solve the incompressible Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes equations on body-fitted grids to obtain the flow-field. Three different turbulence models, the standard, RNG, and realizable K − ϵ are implemented and compared. Results validating the ability of the numerical procedure to simulate flows over complex terrains and interacting wind turbines are presented. Applications providing insights into the performance and loading on wind turbines on complex terrains are studied. The evolution and interaction of the turbine wakes over the complex terrain are also analyzed.

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