Numerical simulation of wake interference effects on the downstream wind turbine

In wind farms, the performance of downstream wind turbines is significantly affected by the upstream turbine wakes. In this study, we focus on the wake interactions of two horizontal-axis wind turbines, and the separation distance has been investigated using a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) framework. Three models for two in-line turbines arranged with different separation distances have been established using Full Rotor Modelling (FPM) approach. And the flow field in the wake region were analysed to help explain the wake interference effects. The simulation results show that the wake effects depend on the relative positions of wind turbines to a great extent. The wake lateral width increases by almost 31% (at 1D downstream the second wind turbine) caused by the wake interference effects of the first turbine. Additionally, wake effects of upstream wind turbines are not always negative, and they are beneficial for the wake recovery of the downstream turbines under certain circumstances.