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Performance of Turbulence Models in Simulating Wind Loads on Photovoltaics Modules

Author

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  • Mireille B. Tadie Fogaing

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Arman Hemmati

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
    Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Carlos F. Lange

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada)

  • Brian A. Fleck

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada)

Abstract

The performance of five conventional turbulence models, commonly used in the wind industry, are examined in predicting the complex wake of an infinite span thin normal flat plate with large pressure gradients at Reynolds number of 1200. This body represents a large array of Photovoltaics modules, where two edges of the plate dominate the flow. This study provided a benchmark for capabilities of conventional turbulence models that are commonly used for wind forecasting in the wind energy industry. The results obtained from Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) k - ε , Reynolds Normalization Group (RNG) k - ε , RANS k - ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) and Reynolds Stress Model (RSM) were compared with existing Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS). The mean flow features and unsteady wake characteristics were used as testing criteria amongst these models. All turbulence models over-predicted the mean recirculation length and under-predicted the mean drag coefficient. The major differences between numerical results in predicting the mean recirculation length, mean drag and velocity gradients, leading to deficits in turbulence kinetic energy production and diffusion, hint at major difficulties in modeling velocity gradients and thus turbulence energy transport terms, by traditional turbulence models. Unsteadiness of flow physics and nature of eddy viscosity approximations are potential reasons. This hints at the deficiencies of these models to predict complex flows with large pressure gradients, which are commonly observed in wind and solar farms. The under-prediction of wind loads on PV modules and over-estimation of the recirculation length behind them significantly affects the efficiency and operational feasibility of solar energy systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Mireille B. Tadie Fogaing & Arman Hemmati & Carlos F. Lange & Brian A. Fleck, 2019. "Performance of Turbulence Models in Simulating Wind Loads on Photovoltaics Modules," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-16, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:17:p:3290-:d:261179
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Libra & Milan Daneček & Jan Lešetický & Vladislav Poulek & Jan Sedláček & Václav Beránek, 2019. "Monitoring of Defects of a Photovoltaic Power Plant Using a Drone," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-9, February.
    2. Xavier Ortiz & David Rival & David Wood, 2015. "Forces and Moments on Flat Plates of Small Aspect Ratio with Application to PV Wind Loads and Small Wind Turbine Blades," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Abiola-Ogedengbe, Ayodeji & Hangan, Horia & Siddiqui, Kamran, 2015. "Experimental investigation of wind effects on a standalone photovoltaic (PV) module," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 657-665.
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    1. Alireza Eslami Majd & David S. Adebayo & Fideline Tchuenbou-Magaia & James Willetts & Dave Nwosu & Zackery Matthews & Nduka Nnamdi Ekere, 2024. "Wind Flow and Its Interaction with a Mobile Solar PV System Mounted on a Trailer," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Mladen Bošnjaković & Marinko Stojkov & Marko Katinić & Ivica Lacković, 2023. "Effects of Extreme Weather Conditions on PV Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.

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