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Role of Inflow Turbulence and Surrounding Buildings on Large Eddy Simulations of Urban Wind Energy

Author

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  • Giulio Vita

    (Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale—DIEF, Università degli Studi Firenze, 50139 Firenze, Italy
    Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Syeda Anam Hashmi

    (Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Simone Salvadori

    (Dipartimento Energia—DENERG, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Hassan Hemida

    (Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

  • Charalampos Baniotopoulos

    (Department of Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

Predicting flow patterns that develop on the roof of high-rise buildings is critical for the development of urban wind energy. In particular, the performance and reliability of devices largely depends on the positioning strategy, a major unresolved challenge. This work aims at investigating the effect of variations in the turbulent inflow and the geometric model on the flow patterns that develop on the roof of tall buildings in the realistic configuration of the University of Birmingham’s campus in the United Kingdom (UK). Results confirm that the accuracy of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) predictions is only marginally affected by differences in the inflow mean wind speed and turbulence intensity, provided that turbulence is not absent. The effect of the presence of surrounding buildings is also investigated and found to be marginal to the results if the inflow is turbulent. The integral length scale is the parameter most affected by the turbulence characteristics of the inflow, while gustiness is only marginally influenced. This work will contribute to LES applications on the urban wind resource and their computational setup simplification.

Suggested Citation

  • Giulio Vita & Syeda Anam Hashmi & Simone Salvadori & Hassan Hemida & Charalampos Baniotopoulos, 2020. "Role of Inflow Turbulence and Surrounding Buildings on Large Eddy Simulations of Urban Wind Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-22, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:19:p:5208-:d:424302
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Francesco Papi & Lorenzo Cappugi & Simone Salvadori & Mauro Carnevale & Alessandro Bianchini, 2020. "Uncertainty Quantification of the Effects of Blade Damage on the Actual Energy Production of Modern Wind Turbines," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Giulio Vita & Anina Šarkić-Glumac & Hassan Hemida & Simone Salvadori & Charalampos Baniotopoulos, 2020. "On the Wind Energy Resource above High-Rise Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-23, July.
    3. Daniel Micallef & Gerard Van Bussel, 2018. "A Review of Urban Wind Energy Research: Aerodynamics and Other Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-27, August.
    4. Bob Evans & Judith Parks & Kate Theobald, 2011. "Urban wind power and the private sector: community benefits, social acceptance and public engagement," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 227-244.
    5. Toparlar, Y. & Blocken, B. & Maiheu, B. & van Heijst, G.J.F., 2017. "A review on the CFD analysis of urban microclimate," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1613-1640.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaoshu Lü & Tao Lu & Tong Yang & Heidi Salonen & Zhenxue Dai & Peter Droege & Hongbing Chen, 2021. "Improving the Energy Efficiency of Buildings Based on Fluid Dynamics Models: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, August.
    2. Zahra Sefidgar & Amir Ahmadi Joneidi & Ahmad Arabkoohsar, 2023. "A Comprehensive Review on Development and Applications of Cross-Flow Wind Turbines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-39, March.
    3. Bontempo, R. & Di Marzo, E.M. & Manna, M., 2025. "Coupled and uncoupled CFD-based design strategies for diffuser-augmented wind turbines: A comparative study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 314(C).

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