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 essential 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 similar studies on rectangular building type structure. Some critical observations made from the results of this study is the nature of variation of the interference factor for different wind incident angles when varying distances separate the structures. The wind interference factors are observed at different locations on the wind turbine tower, and an attempt is made to categorize the various trends found.