Effects of Terrain Slope on Nacelle Anemometry

A numerical analysis of the effects of sloped terrain on the reading of a nacelle anemometer is investigated. Simulations of the turbulent flow around a 2.5 MW wind turbine in an atmospheric boundary layer are made by resolving 3D RANS equations. In addition to flat terrain, four escarpments (at slopes of 7.5%, 11%, 14%, and 20%) are studied for various inlet velocities in three cases: terrains with no wind turbine, with nonoperating turbines and with operating turbines. The slope of the ground has two major effects on flow: speed-up and an increase in flow inclination. The presence of the nacelle enhances the flow speed-up caused by the escarpment, especially outside the anemometer’s position. However, the horizontal velocity at the location of the anemometer tends to decrease with increasing ground slope. This trend is due in large part to the nacelle wake. This disturbed area is characterized by the presence of separated flow and two opposing vortices which are sensitive to the flow inclination. The evaluated nacelle transfer function is influenced by the terrain slope but this sensitivity is reduced by displacing the position of the anemometer upward the nacelle body.