New insights on wind turbine wakes from large‐eddy simulation: Wake contraction, dual nature, and temperature effects

Large-eddy simulation (LES) has been adopted to study wind turbine wakes because it can capture fine-scale details of turbulent flows and interactions with turbines. Here, we use the LES version Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model an actuator disk gain insights on several wake effects that have traditionally difficult measure. The first finding is a “dual nature,” meaning speed deficit behaves differently from added kinetic energy (TKE) two are not co-located in space. For example, peaks at hub height reaches ground within 8D (D rotor diameter), but TKE near tip generally remains aloft. Second, temperature changes driven by area atmospheric stability. combination these factors determines sign intensity vertical heat flux divergence below rotor, convergence warming associated stable conditions weak modest cooling unstable conditions. Third, do expand indefinitely, as suggested similarity theory applied deficit, eventually stop expanding actually contract, different rates depending implication findings that, order wakes, sufficient focus alone, also important yet deficit.