We offer aerodynamic services related to the wind energy sector, e.g. sitting in complex terrain or icing on blades.

Icing on wind turbine blades and on instruments

For wind turbines and measuring equipment placed in areas with frequent or occasional sub-zero temperatures, the possibility of ice accretion must be considered. Ice accretion on turbine wings will reduce the turbine’s efficiency and may cause undesirable aerodynamic vibrations or even instability. Icing on instruments and measuring equipment may lead to erroneous readings or even permanent failure.

These issues may be addressed in our in-house facility, the Climatic Wind Tunnel (CWT), by testing aerofoils, wing sections, wind turbine components and measuring equipment in a velocity range up to 32m/s in critical climatic conditions, i.e. with ice accretion. The CWT has a test section of 2x2m², and its cooling unit is capable of controlling and keeping a long-term average temperature down to -10°C, depending on the wind speed. A rotatable spray bar system is located in the settling chamber after the honeycomb and allows the simulation of in-cloud icing conditions.

Siting of wind turbine parks in complex terrain

For wind turbine parks in hilly or mountainous terrain, it is necessary to consider the wind conditions across the specific site in order to ensure an efficient location of the wind turbines.

Wind tunnel simulations

In the wide boundary-layer wind tunnel, we test large-scale terrain models with a detailed representation of the site and its surroundings. Our tests provide the developers with an accurate description of the wind conditions for possible locations of the wind turbines.
In addition, the tests may provide the wind conditions for planned positions of anemometers at or near the site and compare these with existing meteorological stations in the site’s vicinity.

Based on digital maps of the site, the terrain surface is described using 3D CAD-software. From this software, milling files for our automatic milling machine are generated. This permits a fast and precise model production. The terrain model investigations are normally conducted for areas covering several kilometres. Typical model scales are 1:1000 to 1:2000. 

The experimental approach to evaluate the wind conditions at wind turbine sites is accurate and also cost- and time effective.