Effect of Complex Terrains on Wind Energy Production

Undergraduate #67
Discipline: Ecology Environmental and Earth Sciences
Subcategory: Climate Change
Session: 1
Room: Hoover

Abigayle Elaine Moser - Iowa State University
Co-Author(s): Kaitlin Kelsey, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN; Tae Hyung Kwon, Columbia University, New York City, NY; Clarice Nelson, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN; Dr. Luciano Castillo, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

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Access to electricity remains a challenge in mountainous regions due to difficulties in power grid interconnection. Wind turbines carry the opportunity to resolve the power deficit in remote areas; however, wind farm performance in complex terrain remains largely unknown. Testing of renewable energy sources in complex terrains is still in its infancy; however, prospects of exploring the unexploited renewable energy sources at those areas necessitate further investigation of the feasibility of using such energy resources. This study explores the viability of exploiting wind farms in the mountainous regions of Peru by investigating the impact of complex topographic characteristics on turbine wake recovery and power generation. Wind turbine wake effects are a serious detriment to the power output of wind farms throughout the world. In order to better understand the effect of the complex terrains, wind tunnel experiments were performed on a 1:950 scale model wind farm with small-scale wind turbines. To explore the advantages of complex topographic regions, scaled-down turbines in the model of Ollantaytambo region of Peru were used to analyze the wake effects through power measurements and particle image velocimetry (PIV). The results from the model wind farm over the complex terrain are indicative of greater efficiency in wind farms in terms of power output. Additionally, we will discuss the role of high-gradient surface slope on the energy entrainment and the vertical transport of momentum and kinetic energy over the model wind farm. Future work includes exploring the topographic characteristics that harbor optimal wind speeds and the unique wind gradient that accompanies it.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Lilly Endowment, Inc. for their contribution of funding towards furthering undergraduate research experiences; Professor Luciano Castillo and Professor David Warsinger for their guidance and input throughout the project; lastly, thank you to the Bechtel Innovation & Design Center and Aerospace Sciences Lab for hosting our project on numerous occasions.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Luciano Castillo, lcastillo@purdue.edu

Role: Primarily responsible for the wind tunnel testing for the power and voltage measurements and data analysis through computer modeling/program development. Joint responsibility on the model construction and particle image velocimetry (PIV) with co-authors.