Interaction of low-level jets with wind turbines: On the basic mechanisms for enhanced performance

Abstract

A common, worldwide atmospheric phenomenon known as a low-level jet (LLJ) offers benefits to wind energy production. Despite the fact that this effect may be used to increase the capacity factor of wind farms, the interaction between LLJs and wind power plants is not entirely known. By producing a synthetic LLJ velocity profile under well-controlled laboratory conditions, we show that this phenomenon enhances energy entrainment in the wake of wind turbines. The mechanism is associated with the increased velocity shear around the wind farm canopy height, which leads to higher turbulent mixing and, consequently, more energy flux for inner turbines within wind farms. The new insight from this work offers an opportunity to strategically develop, configure, and operate wind farms by taking into account the particular modulation of LLJs.