Modifications to a mesoscale wind farm parameterization enhance high-altitude wind farm simulations under real-world atmospheric conditions

Improving wind farm parameterizations in mesoscale models is essential for understanding wake interactions, and energy production. This study examined three modifications to the WRF model's Fitch wind farm parameterization (Fitch-O)—air density modification (ADM), rotor-equivalent wind speed (REWS), and axial induction modification (AIM)—and combined them into Fitch-COM to enhance real-world wind farm simulations. Validation used Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition data from a high-altitude Guazhou wind farm. Results show each modification has targeted value (Fitch-ADM for non-standard air density, Fitch-REWS for large-blade turbines, and Fitch-AIM for local-to-free-stream wind conversion) but introduces biases when used alone. The combined Fitch-COM, however, matches observations closest, showing modest but consistent gains over Fitch-O (1.7 % lower RBias, 3.0 % lower RRMSE, 2.8 % higher PCC) and a more physically reasonable framework, unlike Fitch-O (apparent accuracy from error cancelling). Extended conceptual application to inter-farm wake demonstrates both Fitch-COM and Fitch-O capture ∼8.9 %–13.2 % power deficits, with Fitch-COM simulating ∼1.0 % stronger wakes. Though limited observational data introduces uncertainty—for which we strongly call for collecting long-term data to enhance result reliability in future research—this study highlights the value of combining physics-based modifications, and supporting Fitch-COM's potential for wind farms with distinct features (e.g., high-altitude, large blades).