Validation of New and Existing Methods for Time-Domain Simulations of Turbulence and Loads: Article No. 052057

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We seek to obtain a second-by-second match between the simulated and measured structural loads of a utility-scale wind turbine. To obtain the one-to-one load simulations, we start with the furthest upstream component of the modeling chain: the turbulent inflow. We consider new and existing methods to generate constrained-turbulence flow fields. The new method is based on large-eddy simulations (LES) and machine learning (ML). The existing methods include Kaimal-based TurbSim and the superstatistical wind field model. The inflow measurements used to constrain these simulations are obtained with a nacelle-mounted scanning lidar. We compare the flow fields for the different inflow simulation approaches and validate their associated load predictions against measurements collected in the Rotor Aero-dynamics, Aeroelastics, and Wake (RAAW) field campaign. We find that the rotor-position control developed for this study is key in enabling the time match between measurements and simulations. When this control approach is used, the load simulation performance tracks with the inflow simulation fidelity, with LES+ML yielding errors <= 4% for the damage-equivalent loads of flapwise bending moment, and tower fore-aft bending moments.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Physics: Conference Series
Volume2767
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5000-89392

Keywords

  • loads
  • modeling
  • turbulence
  • wind energy
  • wind power

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