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Atmospheric Turbulence Effects on Wind Turbine Wakes over Two-Dimensional Hill: A Wind Tunnel Study

Author

Listed:
  • Bowen Yan

    (Chongqing Key Laboratory of Wind Engineering and Wind Resource Utilization, School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

  • Shuangchen Tang

    (Chongqing Key Laboratory of Wind Engineering and Wind Resource Utilization, School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

  • Meng Yu

    (Chongqing Key Laboratory of Wind Engineering and Wind Resource Utilization, School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

  • Guowei Qian

    (Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), School of Ocean Engineering and Technology, Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai 519082, China
    Key Laboratory of Comprehensive Observation of Polar Environment, Sun Yat-Sen University, Ministry of Education, Zhuhai 519082, China)

  • Yao Chen

    (Chongqing Key Laboratory of Wind Engineering and Wind Resource Utilization, School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China)

Abstract

The wake behavior of wind turbines in complex terrain is influenced by the combined effects of atmospheric turbulence and terrain features, which brings challenges to wind farm power production and safety. Despite extensive studies, there remains a gap in understanding the combined impact of turbulent inflows and terrain slopes on turbine wake behaviors. To address this, the current study conducted systematic wind tunnel experiments, using scaled wind turbines and terrain models featured both gentle and steep slopes. In the experiments, different turbulent inflows were generated and the wake characteristics of turbines located at different locations were analyzed. The results demonstrated that higher turbulence intensity accelerates wake recovery, and that steep slopes introduce distinctive wake patterns, including multi-peak added turbulence intensity profiles. Moreover, turbines on hilltops exhibited a more rapid wake recovery compared to those positioned in front of hills, a phenomenon attributed to the influence of adverse pressure gradients. This study provides pivotal experimental insights into the evolution laws of wind turbine wake over terrains under different turbulent inflow conditions, which are instrumental in wind turbine siting in complex terrains.

Suggested Citation

  • Bowen Yan & Shuangchen Tang & Meng Yu & Guowei Qian & Yao Chen, 2025. "Atmospheric Turbulence Effects on Wind Turbine Wakes over Two-Dimensional Hill: A Wind Tunnel Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:11:p:2865-:d:1668451
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen, Yao & Yan, Bowen & Yu, Meng & Huang, Guoqing & Qian, Guowei & Yang, Qingshan & Zhang, Kai & Mo, Ruiyu, 2025. "Wind tunnel study of wind turbine wake characteristics over two-dimensional hill considering the effects of terrain slope and turbine position," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 380(C).
    2. Sun, Haiying & Yang, Hongxing & Gao, Xiaoxia, 2023. "Investigation into wind turbine wake effect on complex terrain," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
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