Effects From Complex Terrain on Wind-Turbine Performance

Abstract

In this work, experimental measurements are made to study wind turbines over complex terrains and in presence of the atmospheric boundary layer. Thrust and power coefficients for single and multiple turbines are measured when introducing sinusoidal hills and spires inducing an artificial atmospheric boundary layer. Additionally, wake interaction effects are studied, and inflow velocity profiles are characterized using hot-wire anemometry. The results indicate that the introduced hills have a positive impact on the wind-turbine performance and that wake-interaction effects are significantly reduced during turbulent inflow conditions.