Simulation of Two In-Line Wind Turbines Using an Incompressible Finite Volume Solver Coupled with a Blade Element Model

The present study addresses the first steps of development and validation of a coupled Finite Volume-Blade Element Model (FV-BEM) simulation tool dedicated to offshore wind turbine farm modeling. The fluid domain is solved using the incompressible formulation of the CFD solver Grid-flow. The turbines are taken into account using FAST (from NREL) and their effects are imposed into the fluid domain through an actuator line model (ALM) for which specific enhancements are proposed. The Grid-flow solver and its two-way coupling with the aero-elastic modules from FAST is introduced and detailed. The simulation of the case of two in-line wind turbines using the FV-BEM coupling proposed is presented, together with comparisons against experimental results for validation purposes. Finally, a discussion on performances, advantages and limitations of the formulation proposed is provided.