Wind Resources Assessment of an Algerian Arid Area Using a CFD Model

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling has become an essential tool in wind assessment due to the intricacies of wind flow and the complexity of urban structures. A detailed CFD study of wind flow is essential to evaluate the wind resources for the selection of the most suitable areas for the installation of wind farms intended for the production of electrical energy as well as the design of appropriate wind turbines. The wind potential available in Naama region is assessed using WindSim, a software based on the solution of the 3D Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations. The RNG k -ε turbulence model is applied for the closure of the equations. First, three- hourly wind speed and direction data for Naama weather station are used to assess the statistical characteristics of wind speed and wind potential at 10 m above the ground level. Then the numerical simulations are performed to set up the wind speed and power density maps at 10 m and 80 m height above the ground level. Thereafter, the performance of a 40 MW wind park located in a selected area is evaluated.