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Title: Using Large-Eddy Simulations to Define Spectral and Coherence Characteristics of the Hurricane Boundary Layer for Wind-Energy Applications

Journal Article · · Boundary-Layer Meteorology
ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
  2. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
  3. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  4. Univ. of Miami, FL (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

Offshore wind-energy development is planned for regions where hurricanes commonly occur, such as the USA Atlantic Coast. Even the most robust wind-turbine design (IEC Class I) may be unable to withstand a Category-2 hurricane (hub-height wind speeds >50 m s-1). Characteristics of the hurricane boundary layer that affect the structural integrity of turbines, especially in major hurricanes, are poorly understood, primarily due to a lack of adequate observations that span typical turbine heights (<200 m above sea level). To provide these data, we use large-eddy simulations to produce wind profiles of an idealized Category-5 hurricane at high spatial (10 m) and temporal (0.1 s) resolution. By comparison with unique flight-level observations from a field project, we find that a relatively simple configuration of the Cloud Model I model accurately represents the properties of Hurricane Isabel (2003) in terms of mean wind speeds, wind-speed variances, and power spectra. Comparisons of power spectra and coherence curves derived from our hurricane simulations to those used in current turbine design standards suggest that adjustments to these standards may be needed to capture characteristics of turbulence seen within the simulated hurricane boundary layer. To enable improved design standards for wind turbines to withstand hurricanes, we suggest modifications to account for shifts in peak power to higher frequencies and greater spectral coherence at large separations.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; National Science Foundation (NSF) (United States)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1394113
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA--5000-68893
Journal Information:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology, Journal Name: Boundary-Layer Meteorology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 165; ISSN 0006-8314
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • Sim, Chungwook; Manuel, Lance; Basu, Sukanta
  • 48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2010-829
conference June 2012

Cited By (4)

Gusts and shear within hurricane eyewalls can exceed offshore wind turbine design standards: Hurricane Impact on Wind Turbines journal June 2017
Ultimate load design of jacket‐type offshore wind turbines under tropical cyclones journal January 2019
Airborne Doppler Wind Lidar Observations of the Tropical Cyclone Boundary Layer journal May 2018
Hurricane eyewall winds and structural response of wind turbines journal January 2020

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17 WIND ENERGY
hurricane boundary layer
large-eddy simulation
tropical cyclone
wind-turbine design