Aerodynamic performance predictions of HAWT immersed on ABL flows under different thermal stratiflcation conditions

Abstract

The present work deals with numerical and experimental aerodynamic investigations of the flow field around horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) rotors operating within atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow under different thermal stratification conditions using the actuator disk method (ADM). In order to improve the ADM performance predictions, new approaches have been proposed for the stall delay modeling. Mainly, validation with the aerodynamic performances of the New MEXICO and the NREL Phase VI wind turbines have been carried out. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements of the near wake behind the rotor have been conducted on the closed-circuit low speed wind tunnel of the ENSAM Paris where the new numerical model provides high accuracy compared to the measurements. Then, the effect of the thermal stratification conditions has been considered and carried out for two NEG-MICON 750 kW wind turbines co-axially positioned based on the data of the flow features of the NORDAIS wind farm.