Wind Resource and Wind Farm Yield

This course will cover how the output of wind farm arrays is predicted based on modelling of the wind resource and combined wake interactions. The first part of the course will cover the different wind resource models which are used ranging from simple mass consistent models, to linearised solvers, computational fluid dynamics models and mesoscale models. The use of models in both onshore and offshore environments will be covered including the importance of atmospheric stability. The second part of the course will consider the application of models to assess the yield from wind farms considering wakes effects. Wake models will be reviewed including simple semi-empirical models to kinematic models and the modelling of wakes in CFD models. Once again, the importance of atmospheric stratification will be considered and the potential impact on wind farms of certain mesoscale phenomena, e.g. gravity waves offshore, will be assessed and quantified. Large wind farm phenomena will be studied including the so-called deep array effect and wind farm blockage.

The students will undertake two course assignments (resource assessment and wind farm yield prediction) worth 30% each, spread out during the course and an oral exam worth 40% at the end of the course.

Assignment 1: application of a model to assess and optimise wind resource and energy yield for an onshore site with a report to be assessed.

Assignment 2: application of a model to assess and optimise energy yield for an offshore site incorporating different wake models with a report to be assessed.

Exam: oral test to assess understanding of the principles of wind resource assessment and wind farm yield prediction.