A verification study of the effects of topographically-induced atmospheric turbulence on the structural strength and fatigue life of wind turbines

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H02053
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Social systems engineering/Safety system
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Uchida Takanori 九州大学, 応用力学研究所, 准教授 (90325481)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 風力発電 / 数値流体力学 / 乱流モデル / 大気乱流 / 複雑地形 / 風車ウエイク

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is highly important in Japan to choose a good site for wind turbines, because the spatial distribution of wind speed is quite complicated over steep complex terrain. We have been developing the unsteady numerical model called the RIAM-COMPACT (Research Institute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, COMputational Prediction of Airflow over Complex Terrain). The RIAM-COMPACT is based on the LES (Large-Eddy Simulation). In the present paper, the reproduction method of airflows over steep complex terrain using RIAM-COMPACT CFD model. In addition, we carried out the large-eddy simulation (LES) of the wake generated behind the wind lens turbine (WLT) under optimal tip speed ratio.

Free Research Field

風工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

一連の研究成果に基づいて、地形性乱流が大型風車のブレードに与える2種類の新しい定量化指標を提案することに成功しました。この指標を有効に活用することで、風車の「重大事故」を未然に防ぎ、洋上および陸上の大規模風力発電の適切な普及・拡大に大きく貢献することが期待されます。