scholarly journals The impact of the diurnal cycle of the atmospheric boundary layer on physical variables relevant for wind energy applications

Author(s):  
Antonia Englberger ◽  
Andreas Dörnbrack

Abstract. This paper provides a quantification of the temporal evolution of physical variables in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) relevant for wind energy applications. For this purpose, we use the unique dataset gathered during the BLLAST (Boundary Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence) field experiment to validate a large-eddy simulation (LES) model by simulating the complete diurnal cycle of the ABL. In this way, this contribution to the special issue of ACP "The Boundary-Layer Late Afternoon and Sunset Turbulence project" satisfies the purpose of the BLLAST experiment: to provide a dataset for the validation of numerical simulations aiming to study transient BL processes. For wind energy applications, we are investigating the behaviour of different physical parameters which are relevant in the height region where a wind turbine operates. This results in a quantification of the diurnal cycle influence on the vertical wind shear, the stratification and the turbulence intensity in the atmosphere. Further, the impact of different heterogeneous surface conditions on shear near the surface layer of the ABL is investigated.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Sanz Rodrigo ◽  
Matthew Churchfield ◽  
Branko Kosovic

Abstract. The GEWEX Atmospheric Boundary Layer Studies (GABLS) 1, 2 and 3 are used to develop a methodology for the design and testing of Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) models for wind energy applications. The first two GABLS cases are based on idealized boundary conditions and are suitable for verification purposes by comparing with results from higher-fidelity models based on large-eddy simulation. Results from three single-column RANS models, of 1st, 1.5th and 2nd turbulence closure order, show high consistency in predicting the mean flow. The third GABLS case is suitable for the study of these ABL models under realistic forcing such that validation versus observations from the Cabauw meteorological tower are possible. The case consists on a diurnal cycle that leads to a nocturnal low-level jet and addresses fundamental questions related to the definition of the large-scale forcing, the interaction of the ABL with the surface and the evaluation of model results with observations. The simulations are evaluated in terms of surface-layer fluxes and wind energy quantities of interest: rotor equivalent wind speed, hub-height wind direction, wind speed shear and wind direction veer. The characterization of mesoscale forcing is based on spatially and temporally averaged momentum budget terms from Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations. These mesoscale tendencies are used to drive single-column models, which were verified previously in the first two GABLS cases, to first demonstrate that they can produce similar wind profile characteristics to the WRF simulations even though the physics are more simplified. The added value of incorporating different forcing mechanisms into microscale models is quantified by systematically removing forcing terms in the momentum and heat equations. This mesoscale-to-microscale modeling approach is affected, to a large extent, by the input uncertainties of the mesoscale tendencies. Deviations from the profile observations are reduced by introducing observational nudging based on measurements that are typically available from wind energy campaigns. This allows the discussion of the added value of using remote sensing instruments versus tower measurements in the assessment of wind profiles for tall wind turbines reaching heights of 200 m.


Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1619
Author(s):  
Yingsai Ma ◽  
Xianhong Meng ◽  
Yinhuan Ao ◽  
Ye Yu ◽  
Guangwei Li ◽  
...  

The Loess Plateau is one land-atmosphere coupling hotspot. Soil moisture has an influence on atmospheric boundary layer development under specific early-morning atmospheric thermodynamic structures. This paper investigates the sensitivity of atmospheric convection to soil moisture conditions over the Loess Plateau in China by using the convective triggering potential (CTP)—humidity index (HIlow) framework. The CTP indicates atmospheric stability and the HIlow indicates atmospheric humidity in the low-level atmosphere. By comparing the model outcomes with the observations, the one-dimensional model achieves realistic daily behavior of the radiation and surface heat fluxes and the mixed layer properties with appropriate modifications. New CTP-HIlow thresholds for soil moisture-atmosphere feedbacks are found in the Loess Plateau area. By applying the new thresholds with long-time scales sounding data, we conclude that negative feedback is dominant in the north and west portion of the Loess Plateau; positive feedback is predominant in the south and east portion. In general, this framework has predictive significance for the impact of soil moisture on precipitation. By using this new CTP-HIlow framework, we can determine under what atmospheric conditions soil moisture can affect the triggering of precipitation and under what atmospheric conditions soil moisture has no influence on the triggering of precipitation.


Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Astrid Lampert ◽  
Barbara Altstädter ◽  
Konrad Bärfuss ◽  
Lutz Bretschneider ◽  
Jesper Sandgaard ◽  
...  

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) fill a gap in high-resolution observations of meteorological parameters on small scales in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). Especially in the remote polar areas, there is a strong need for such detailed observations with different research foci. In this study, three systems are presented which have been adapted to the particular needs for operating in harsh polar environments: The fixed-wing aircraft M 2 AV with a mass of 6 kg, the quadrocopter ALICE with a mass of 19 kg, and the fixed-wing aircraft ALADINA with a mass of almost 25 kg. For all three systems, their particular modifications for polar operations are documented, in particular the insulation and heating requirements for low temperatures. Each system has completed meteorological observations under challenging conditions, including take-off and landing on the ice surface, low temperatures (down to −28 ∘ C), icing, and, for the quadrocopter, under the impact of the rotor downwash. The influence on the measured parameters is addressed here in the form of numerical simulations and spectral data analysis. Furthermore, results from several case studies are discussed: With the M 2 AV, low-level flights above leads in Antarctic sea ice were performed to study the impact of areas of open water within ice surfaces on the ABL, and a comparison with simulations was performed. ALICE was used to study the small-scale structure and short-term variability of the ABL during a cruise of RV Polarstern to the 79 ∘ N glacier in Greenland. With ALADINA, aerosol measurements of different size classes were performed in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in highly complex terrain. In particular, very small, freshly formed particles are difficult to monitor and require the active control of temperature inside the instruments. The main aim of the article is to demonstrate the potential of UAS for ABL studies in polar environments, and to provide practical advice for future research activities with similar systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 201 ◽  
pp. 104185
Author(s):  
Štěpán Nosek ◽  
Zuzana Kluková ◽  
Michala Jakubcová ◽  
Qianying Yi ◽  
David Janke ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuliya Troitskaya ◽  
Alexander Kandaurov ◽  
Daniil Sergeev ◽  
Olga Ermakova ◽  
Dmitrii Kozlov ◽  
...  

<p>Showing the record strengths and growth-rates, a number of recent hurricanes have highlighted needs for improving forecasts of tropical cyclone intensities most sensitive to models of the air-sea coupling. Especially challenging is the nature and effect of the very small-scale phenomena, the sea-spray and foam, supposed to strongly affecting the momentum- and heat- air-sea fluxes at strong winds. This talk will focus on our progress in understanding and describing these "micro-scale" processes, their physical properties, the spray and foam mediated air-sea fluxes and the impact on the development of marine storms.</p><p>The starting points for this study were two laboratory experiments. The first one was designed for investigation of the spray generation mechanisms at high winds. We found out 3 dominant spray generating mechanisms: stretching liquid ligaments, bursting bubbles, splashing of the falling droplets and "bag-breakup". We investigated the efficiency spray-production mechanisms and developed the empirical statistics of the numbers of the spray generating events of each type. Basing on the "white-cap method" we found out the dependence of the spray-generating events on the wind fetch. The main attention was paid to the "bag-breakup" mechanism. Here we studied in detail the statistics of spray produced from one "bag-breakup" event. Basing on these developments, we estimated heat and momentum fluxes from the spray-generating events of different types and found out the dominant role of the "bag-breakup" mechanism.</p><p>To estimate the direct heat and momentum fluxes from the ocean surface to the atmosphere, we studied in the special experiment the foam impact on the short-wave part of the surface waves and the heat momentum exchange in the atmospheric boundary layer at high winds. Based on these results, we suggest a simple model for the aerodynamic and temperature roughness and the eddy viscosity in the turbulent boundary layer over a fractionally foam-covered water surface.</p><p>The synergetic effect of foam at the water surface and spray in the marine atmospheric boundary layer on ocean surface resistance at high winds is estimated so as to be able to explain the observed peculiarities of the air-sea fluxes at stormy conditions. Calculations within the nonhydrostatic axisymmetric model show, that the "microphysics" of the air-sea coupling significantly accelerate development of the ocean storm.</p><p>This work was supported by RFBR grant 19-05-00249 and RSF grant 19-17-00209.</p>


2003 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 431-447 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Sofi Smedman ◽  
Ulf Högström ◽  
Hans Bergström ◽  
Cecilia Johansson ◽  
Anna Sjöblom ◽  
...  

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