Wind team targets turbulence

DNV GL together with wind industry partners, including Dong Energy, GE and Siemens, have launched a joint project to develop new best practice for the validation of turbulence models.

The project aims to create a better understanding of turbulence modelling to reduce uncertainty in the design of wind farms.

The partners said that by jointly developing best practice guidelines the project will improve accuracy on site-specific load assessments, leading to a reduction in the cost of wind energy.

They added that the current design of wind turbines relies on turbulence models that were developed decades ago when machines were smaller than modern models.

With the increased size of wind turbines, current turbulence models result in large fatigue load variations with differences of up to 20%, the partners said.

Existing turbulence models are also often insufficiently applicable to other site-conditions beyond flat terrain and neutral stability, they added.

The partnership will collect onshore and offshore wind measurement data from more than 30 global sites to develop the best practice guidance.

The other partners are Christian Michelsen Research, DTU Wind Energy, Gamesa Innovation and Technology, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, SSE Renewables Developments, Statoil, Suzlon, TechnoCentre Éolien and Vattenfall.

The project is also open to new members, subject to approval by its steering committee.

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