Characterization of atmospheric coherent structures and their impact on a utility-scale wind turbine

Atmospheric turbulent velocity fluctuations are known to increase wind turbine structural loading and accelerate wake recovery, but the impact of vortical coherent structures in atmosphere on turbines has not yet been evaluated. The current study uses flow imaging with natural snowfall a field view spanning inflow near wake. Vortical diameters order 1 m identified characterized approaching 2.5 MW region bottom blade tip elevation hub height. Their loading, power generation behaviour Long structure packets $(\mathrm{\ \mathbin{\lower.3ex\hbox{$\buildrel> \over {\smash{\scriptstyle\sim}\vphantom{_x}}$}}\ }200\;\textrm{m)}$ shown fluctuating stresses support tower. Large vortices interact blades, leading deviations from expected generation. sign these is related rotation direction vortices, same as circulation blades periods surplus, opposite causing deficit. Periods deficit coincide contraction events. These findings highlight importance considering properties when making design siting decisions.