On the Wind Turbine Wake Mathematical Modelling

The present paper deals with a study on the wind turbine wake mathematical modelling as well as experimental validation by means of wind tunnel experiments. In particular, different wind turbine wake’s equations were implemented and results compared with experimental data.

Therefore, an experimental setup was implemented in the wind tunnel test section with a small-scale wind turbine, while velocity deficit was measured. A design of experiment based on three parameters variation was defined: wind velocity, turbine rotational speed and distance from the wind turbine rotor. In the same experimental conditions simulations were carried out by means of three 1D equations. In particular, Jensen, Larsen and Frandsen equations were studied.

Comparing theoretical and experimental results, it is evident that Larsen mathematical model is in good agreement with experimental data, while Jensen and Frandsen mathematical models are able to identify only mean and peak velocity deficit, respectively.