Influence of Topography on the Turbulent Inflow of Wind Turbines in Complex Terrain

Instantaneous flow field with visualization of different characteristic zones.
Image: IAG, University of Stuttgart

As part of the WindForS project WINSENT two wind turbines and four met masts will be installed in the Swabian Alps in Southern Germany for research proposes. The results of highly resolved numerical simulations of this wind energy test site located in complex terrain are shown. By means of Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations (DDES) the turbulent flow above a forested steep slope is analyzed in order to evaluate the inflow conditions of the planned wind turbine in detail. The complex inflow conditions and production of turbulence due to the shape of the topography and the vegetation are evaluated. The intention of using supercomputers for these applications is to analyze the local atmospheric flow field in as much detail as possible.

Read the complete user research report at the Gauss Centre for Supercomputing.

Principal Investigator

Thorsten Lutz

Institute of Aerodynamics and Gas Dynamics (IAG), University of Stuttgart