Simulating impacts of wind farms on local hydrometeorology

Author: Baidya Roy, Somnath | Environment, Meteorology

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ABSTRACT – Wind power is one of the fastest growing energy sources in the world, most of the growth being in large
wind farms that are often located on agricultural land near residential communities. This study
explores the possible impacts of such wind farms on local hydrometeorology using a mesoscale model
equipped with a rotor parameterization based on data from a commercial wind turbine. Results show
that wind farms significantly affect near-surface air temperature and humidity as well as surface
sensible and latent heat fluxes. The signs of the impacts, i.e., increase or decrease, depend on the static
stability and total water mixing ratio lapse rates of the atmosphere. The magnitudes of these impacts
are not only constrained by the hub-height wind speed but also depend to some extent on the size of
the wind farms. Wind farms also affect the hydrometeorology of an area up to 18–23 km downwind.
More work is required to conclusively estimate the length-scale of wind farm wakes. This study is one
of the first few to provide realistic estimates of possible impacts of wind farms. The model developed
and used in this study can help in assessing and addressing the environmental impacts of wind farms
thereby ensuring the long-term sustainability of wind power.

Somnath Baidya Roy, Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics
Volume 99, Issue 4, April 2011, Pages 491-498
doi:10.1016/j.jweia.2010.12.013

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