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Support structure modelling in actuator line method large eddy simulations of wind turbine wakes
  • Markella Zormpa,
  • Christopher Vogel,
  • Richard Willden
Markella Zormpa
University of Oxford

Corresponding Author:markella.zormpa@eng.ox.ac.uk

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Christopher Vogel
University of Oxford
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Richard Willden
University of Oxford
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Abstract

While advancements in the prediction of wind turbine loads and wakes within the actuator line method large eddy simulation (ALM-LES) framework have been an active research topic in recent years, the modelling of the tower and nacelle has received comparatively less attention. This paper investigates different numerical modelling methods for the representation of the support structure and discusses the implications and trade offs associated with each method. Three support structure modelling approaches are investigated: explicitly meshing the support structure; a direct forcing meshless representation; and a combination of actuator disc/line method for the representation of the nacelle/tower. All methods contribute to a more realistic representation of the near wake mean flow when compared to experimental measurements. In the measured far wake, the interaction between the tower and rotor wakes creates asymmetries in the mean flow profiles. The meshed and cell-blocking numerical representations are capable of replicating these far wake asymmetries. In contrast, the actuator method has a less pronounced effect on the far wake mean flow.
27 Dec 2024Submitted to Wind Energy
28 Dec 2024Submission Checks Completed
28 Dec 2024Assigned to Editor
28 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Jan 2025Reviewer(s) Assigned