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

Bowen Yan, Shuangchen Tang, Meng Yu, Guowei Qian () and Yao Chen
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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
Yao Chen: Chongqing Key Laboratory of Wind Engineering and Wind Resource Utilization, School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-16

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.

Keywords: wind tunnel test; wind turbine wake; velocity deficit; added turbulence intensity; complex terrain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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