A typical example of a fluid simulation application is wind turbine micrositting or the evaluation of the wind potential in a particular area. To do that, we need to define, by means of numerical simulation, the typical wind (along a period of time, at least one year) at the location of interest.

Coupling the weather and CFD model

nablaDot has developed a methodology, based on coupling a mesoscale model (WRF: Weather Research & Forecasting Model) with CFD models, with which we can assess in a precise and affordable way the wind potential at any geographical area. Using the mesoscale model, whose maximum resolution is around 1 km, we can obtain a description of the wind characteristics along an extended period of time. Then we process the results statistically and proceed to simulate, with CFD models, the most representative scenarios (defined by the wind direction, intensity and height profile). This methodology allows us to calculate with high accuracy and resolution the wind potential, accounting for any effect that the orography, buildings or other obstacles may have on the wind.

An example of wind potential evaluation

The next images show the results of the application of this methodology, corresponding to a project where our client wanted to evaluate the wind potential in an area with complex orography to install wind turbines. First, we determined the wind along a year with nested domains, down to 1 km resolution.

Then, a number of CFD simulations were run with different representative wind scenarios, finally obtaining the wind potential at the area of interest.

Thanks to this project, our client could evaluate the viability of installing wind turbines at the plots of land of their interest, in a precise and affordable way.