SBIR-STTR Award

A major problem faced by wind energy developers is the lack of a consistent and accurate methodology for determining the amount of energy that will be produced by their wind turbines before they are installed. Windfarm developers have discovered numerous and surprising discrepancies between expected turbine performance (based on wind resource assessments} and actual energy production realized. These discrepancies have been particularly apparent within closely packed arrays typical of existing windfarms and are especially apparent in complex terrain environment. At present there is no method for predicting the combined effect of closely packing turbines in arrays and complex terrain influences on the production to be realized. Until now, the effect of the terrain on the wind flow field and turbine wake interference have always been addressed separately. The Phase I research will integrate the wake interference model developed by Lissaman into a three-dimensional mass-consistent numerical model for wind flow over complex terrain and compare the calculated results with wind turbine production from a commercially operating windfarm.Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The integrated numerical model for predicting turbine array performance in complex terrain may ultimately be packaged software for the wind energy community available as either transportable software or as a time share service feature.

A major problem faced by wind energy developers is the lack of a consistent and accurate method for optimal siting of wind turbines in closely packed arrays in complex terrain. Windfarm developers have discovered numerous and surprising discrepancies between expected turbine energy production (based on wind resource assessments) and actual energy production realized. During Phase 1, the Lissaman model for turbine wake interference loss was combined with a 3-dimensional mass consistent wind flow over complex terrain model. The combined model was tested on a com. mercially operating windfarm in the Altamont Pass area of California. A comparison between model predicted turbine performance and actual turbine performance was very encouraging. Phase II is directed toward moving the modeling technology from the research and development environment to the applied engineering envirorunent. Specific objectives are (1) increasing the confidence level in the modeling capability by further improving the model and testing it on two additional commercial windfarms, (2) demonstrating the commercial potential of the modeling- technology during the development of a new windfarm to be constructed and operated within the duration of Phase II by Fayette Manufacturing Corporation, and (3) an assessment of technology transfer and marketing potential for the modeling technology. At the conclusion of Phase II, the modeling technology is expected to be well documented and ready for distribution to users in the commercial wind energy community.Anticapated Results Potential Commercial Applications as described by the awardee:The integrated numerical model for predicting turbine array performance will be a documented, packaged computer program available as either transportable software, or on a time-share basis for the user-at-large to use in planning or evaluatmg wind turbine array performance in complex terrain.