Maximizing wind energy resources requires a detailed understanding of atmospheric flow behavior over complex topography. The objective of this research is to examine unstable flow behavior over a three-dimensional topographic model, representative of mesa terrain that is common in West Texas. The goal is to develop an understanding of how unstable atmospheric conditions caused by surface heating affect boundary layer flow patterns in the natural environment. This objective was accomplished by experimentally monitoring transient thermal behavior of narrow band liquid crystals over a scaled model. Photographic data was collected as the heated model was subjected to a cooler flow field. The transient isotherms result from cooling as the model is exposed to flow in an atmospheric boundary layer wind tunnel. Results suggest that flow patterns associated with unstable conditions can be explained by increased wind speeds on the lee side of a mesa followed by vigorous mixing causing increased cooling rates around the mesa sides. The results could be used to improve the accuracy of numerical atmospheric flow models, assess the feasibility of developing wind turbine sites, and increase the knowledge-base in order to advance wind energy forecasting techniques.
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ASME 2003 Wind Energy Symposium
January 6–9, 2003
Reno, Nevada, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- ASME
ISBN:
1-56347-594-4
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
A Wind Tunnel Study of Heat Transfer Over Complex Terrain
Michelle Pantoya,
Michelle Pantoya
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
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Kenneth Shifflett,
Kenneth Shifflett
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
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Walter Oler,
Walter Oler
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
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William Burton
William Burton
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
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Michelle Pantoya
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Kenneth Shifflett
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Walter Oler
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
William Burton
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Paper No:
WIND2003-1187, pp. 410-419; 10 pages
Published Online:
February 4, 2009
Citation
Pantoya, M, Shifflett, K, Oler, W, & Burton, W. "A Wind Tunnel Study of Heat Transfer Over Complex Terrain." Proceedings of the ASME 2003 Wind Energy Symposium. ASME 2003 Wind Energy Symposium. Reno, Nevada, USA. January 6–9, 2003. pp. 410-419. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/WIND2003-1187
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