Experimental and Computational Examinations of Atmospheric Flows for Wind Power

Abstract

The two studies presented in this thesis seek to answer questions regarding atmospheric flows in thecontext of wind power through experimental and computational means. In Section 2, historical data taken from the Eolos wind research station in Rosemount, MN is used tostudy the variability of the wind signal through spectral analysis. The relationship between mean wind speed and spectral characteristics is assessed. Changes in the spectral characteristics of wind over large time scales (diurnal, seasonal, and interannual) are observed. Agreement and deviation from the Kolmogorov -5/3 law for turbulent flows are documented. In Section 3, large eddy simulation of fixed-bottom offshore wind turbines over misaligned regularwaves is conducted. Power generation and wake behavior are compared for different wind farm configurations, wind-wave misalignment angles, and floating/fixed-bottom foundations.