Wind energy efficiency of onshore wind turbines

Wind energy efficiency

of onshore wind turbines

Wind energy efficiency

of onshore wind turbines

Wind turbines in urban areas operate in a fundamentally different aerodynamic environment than turbines in open terrain or at sea. The presence of buildings, infrastructure, and varying terrain roughness influences wind flow, which has direct consequences for both efficiency and the loads on the turbine.

In urban environments, the wind is severely disturbed by obstacles. Buildings cause turbulence and accelerated or decelerated flow zones. These effects lead to a higher degree of irregularity in both wind speed and direction. For a wind turbine, this means that the incoming flow is rarely uniform or stationary, resulting in power fluctuations and a decrease in average energy yield compared to ideal, undisturbed inflow.

In addition, buildings can locally cause accelerations in wind speed, for example in street canyons or along the edges and corners of high-rise buildings. While this can increase potential efficiency in specific cases, it is often accompanied by increased turbulence intensity and oblique wind inflow, leading to less stable operation and higher mechanical stress on the rotor and structure. This affects the lifespan, maintenance frequency, and ultimately the economic feasibility of the turbine.



The positioning of wind turbines within an urban context is therefore critical. Parameters such as building height, spacing, orientation, and the local roughness of the environment play a decisive role in the quality of the inflow. A detailed analysis of the wind field, for example via CFD simulations, is necessary to gain insight into the spatial variation of wind speed, turbulence, and flow structures.

A well-designed integration of wind turbines in urban areas therefore requires attention not only to the turbine itself, but especially to the interaction between the turbine and the surrounding buildings. By quantifying this interaction, a realistic estimate can be made of the expected yield and structural load, which is essential for reliable and cost-effective application within the built environment.

Through CFD studies, Crateo can estimate the flow pattern and the interaction with the urban environment, and what this means for the return.