Wind simulation in a complex terrain by numerical weather prediction method using large eddy simulation

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Exchange student with EPFL in Switzerland.

2 Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Researchers are interested in wind resource assessment studies for mountainous terrains using numerical weather prediction methods. In present study the wind over Martigny located in Switzerland has been simulated using weather research and forecasting model. Due to high resolution of the simulation (100 m), large eddy simulation is employed to perform turbulence modeling. The objective of this study is to assess the credibility of model in wind simulation and to examine the effect resolution and two different sub-grid scale turbulence models. The results reveal that model is able to properly generate the wind in comparison with the data obtained from wind measurement stations. The results also show a promising simulation for the region, located within a wide and flat valley. However, the discrepancies between the results and those obtained from the wind station are bold for regions at mountainous peaks. At the time at which the maximum wind speed occurs, it is found that the wind error decreases from 22m/s to 17m/s by changing the sub-grid scale model from Smagronisnky3D to turbulence kinetic energy 1.5 model. Also, the predicted wind speed declines from 17m/s to 7m/s by reducing the vertical size of the grid cells.

Keywords

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References

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Amirkabir Journal of Mechanical Engineering
Volume 53, Issue 7
October 2021
Pages 4221-4240

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