Effect of wind flow direction on the loads at wind farm

Abstract

Abstract This paper investigates the effect of wind flow direction on the fatigue loads on wind turbine within a wind farm, to determine the most critically loaded machines within the wind farm. The fatigue loads are calculated according IEC standards. In this study, the two layouts are considered. Additionally, this paper includes the effect of wind flow direction on the power efficiency of the wind farm for the two layouts. The simulations performed by StrathFarm, which is an in-house developed wind farm modeling tool, for the below and above rated wind speed flow with turbulence. In the regular and installed regular layouts at zeros degree of the prevailing wind flow direction, the spacing among turbines is eight diameters. At 90 degrees of wind flow direction the spacing between turbines is five diameters. The simulations demonstrate that the majority of the maximum fatigue loads occur at the range 40 and 70 degrees for the two layouts. However, there is small number of machines, which are experienced the highest fatigue loads at 90 degrees of wind flow direction. For the two layout the lowest power efficiency occurs at 10 degrees of wind flow direction. The regular layout is experienced same power efficiency at five and eight diameters spacing among turbine in the wind flow direction. The highest power efficiency occurs at wind flow angles, which produce the highest fatigue loads.