Study of Interference Effects on Wind Turbine Structures

Abstract

In wind farms, turbine structures exist very close to each other which usually enhances or reduces the pressure load on the surrounding structures. This phenomenon, termed as interference effect is therefore important from a design point of view. Provisions for considering interference effects while designing of structures are inadequate in wind loading codes and standards. The present paper investigates the interference factors for two wind turbines located in close vicinity and also compares the interference factor of a wind turbine tower with that of a rectangular building type structure. Some key observations made from the results of this study is the nature of variation of the interference factor for different wind incident angles when the structures are separated by varying distances. The wind interference factors are observed at different locations on the wind turbine tower and an attempt is made to categorize the various trends observed.