Numerical Simulation of Multiple Interacting Wind Turbines on a Complex Terrain

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 for accurate numerical simulation of convection-dominated flows on a complex terrain. The turbines are modeled using a distribution of momentum sources and the incompressible, turbulent flow-field is solved using the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. A finite-volume procedure is used on body fitted grids and the SIMPLER algorithm is used to obtain the flow-field. Three different turbulence models including 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 wind turbines are presented. Applications providing insights into the performance and loading on wind turbines subjected to turbine-terrain interference are studied. The evolution and interaction of the turbine wake with the complex terrain are also analyzed.