Comparison of 2nd generation LiDAR wind measurement technique with CFD numerical modelling

Francis Quail, Jonathan Butler

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaper

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Abstract

With the rapid increase in both on and offshore wind turbine deployment there is a requirement for a better understanding of the flow field in which such devices are deployed. Greater understanding of the flow field is necessary for optimisation of turbine control, turbine design, and machine interaction as well as maximise operation and performance. Advanced measurement tools can characterise the flow regime by either acoustic or laser pulses to measure the line of sight velocity of airborne particles. Such technology facilitates the acquisition of detailed and precise measurements of wind speed and direction remote from the device location; some solutions can even provide detail of the flow structure of the wind in the measurement field. In the current study an analysis of the methodology, relevance and potential of a 2nd generation LiDAR is presented along with results of a deployment at an onshore wind farm. The results demonstrate the potential of the LiDAR to capture details of wind farm flow and structures, along with the potential to corroborate numerical techniques with the measured data. Advances in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approaches coupled with the availability of significant computational resources makes it possible to conduct a valid comparative assessment. This paper presents the details of this comparative assessment and makes a judgement on the accuracy of the approach. The results show that remote sensing devices offer a useful and accurate capability for wind vector analysis and flow visualisation, along with the flexibility to organise bespoke measurement campaigns. The study also presents methodologies by which such devices can be used as validation tools for CFD.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages8
Publication statusPublished - 9 Oct 2012
EventEWEA: The Science of Making Torque from Wind - Oldenberg, Germany
Duration: 9 Oct 201211 Oct 2012

Conference

ConferenceEWEA: The Science of Making Torque from Wind
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityOldenberg
Period9/10/1211/10/12

Keywords

  • LiDAR
  • CFD modelling
  • remote sensing
  • wind turbine control

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