Mid-fidelity method for wind turbine simulations using Finite Element Analysis and Actuator Line Method

Wind energy technology plays a crucial role in the global strategy for a green transition, with a significant acceleration in deploying new wind power plants being essential to meet global CO2 reduction targets. In this context, research in numerical simulation can provide the renewable energy sector with reliable tools for new wind farm design, land optimization, power plant efficiency, wind turbine load and loss assessment, and control strategies. This research project aims to develop a wind energy simulation system, leveraging the combined expertise of two leading groups in computational fluid dynamics. It will focus on a novel application of the Actuator Line Model (ALM) within a finite element analysis framework. The project will concentrate on aerodynamic simulations of utility-scale wind turbines and farms, involving the creation of a system that integrates an aeroelastic model of the blades, incorporates improved model corrections for tip effects and force projection in the computational fluid domain, and employs the variational multiscale method and advanced finite element and isogeometric analysis to resolve the 3D turbulent flow within the stratified atmospheric boundary layer and its interaction with wind turbine wakes.

Faculty Supervisor:

Artem Korobenko

Student:

Partner:

Sapienza Università di Roma

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Clean Technology; Green/Alternative Energy; Technology

University:

University of Calgary

Program: