An experiment and numerical simulation on wind flow over hilly terrain: Application to Colobraro, Italy

Full scale wind turbine experiment was held in Colobraro, Italy. Based on the data collected in the observation station wind tunnel experiment was carried out in Galleria del Vendo Del Politecnico di Milano(GVPM). The full-scale experiment can be used as validation of numerical simulation. However, because of the practical difficulties such as, selection of suitable sites and expensive cost, wind tunnel experiment and numerical simulation were considered as more commercial ways to predict wind flow over hilly terrain. Both wind tunnel test and numerical simulation were made at three sites, where wind turbines were erected. And the wind turbine model was made to scale of 1:50. The wind tunnel model was test with two typical approach wind direction 180 degree and 240 degree. It was observed that the wind speed up depends on the approaching wind direction. And numerical simulation was done in these two typical approach wind direction. Numerical simulation results give the best agreement with respect to the wind profile. Therefore numerical model is suitable for prediction of wind flow over hilly terrain. © 2010 SPIE.