Abstract

In this study, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations are performed using the k-ϵ and k-ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulence closure schemes to investigate the interactions of horizontal-axis wind turbine (HAWT) models in the neutrally stratified atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). A comparative study of actuator disk, actuator line, and full rotor models of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 5 MW reference turbine is presented. The open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code open foam 2.1.0 and the commercial software ANSYS fluent 13.0 are used for simulations. Single turbine models are analyzed for turbulent structures and wake resolution in the downstream region. To investigate the influence of the incident wind field on very large turbine blades, a high-resolution full rotor simulation is carried out for a single turbine to determine blade pressure distributions. Finally, simulations are performed for two inline turbines spaced 5 diameters (5D) apart. The research presented in this study provides an intercomparison of three dominant HAWT models operating at rated conditions in a neutral ABL using a RANS framework. Furthermore, the pressure distributions of the highly resolved full rotor model (FRM) will be useful for future aeroelastic structural analysis of anisotropic composite blade materials.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Publication Status

Available Access

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1528-8986; 0199-6231

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 American Society of Mechanical Engineers, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2015

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