Analysis of wind turbines generators influence in aeronautical radars

This work analyses the disturbance in the propagation of the signals created wind turbines in airspace surveillance radars. A model is developed to characterise the turbine from the radar viewpoint, using the radar cross section concept and diffraction theory, quantifying the impact on primary and secondary radars. Results show a large impact created by turbines on a primary radar, up to 36.1 dBsm. Results also show some critical points identified for the secondary radar, when the aircraft lies in the same azimuth as the turbine. The Doppler shift can generate false targets on a primary radar, due to the high velocities at the blade edge, up to 282 km/h. Finally, one defines exclusion regions around the radar, which can go up to 13 km, depending on the surrounding terrain and the radar characteristics.