Aerodynamic Loads on Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Rotors Exerted by Turbulent Inflow

†† Wind turbines, which are installed under the natural wind conditions, suffer complicated loads on the rotor blades due to the turbulent wind. The present paper describes a numerical method for calculating the effects of turbulence characteristics on the aerodynamic loads, and shows the numerical results. The turbulent wind field is simulated with the Veers ’ model. This model is based on a Fourier synthesis method and capable of considering spatial crosscorrelations between any two points in the rotor plane, where the turbulent wind is generated. For the calculation of aerodynamic loads on the rotor blades, an inviscid aerodynamic model based on the asymptotic acceleration potential method is adopted.