Umweltphysik

HeliOW Overview

In wind energy site assessment numerical modeling has become widely accepted and even further, has become an indispensable tool especially for assessments in complex terrain. Each numerical study should be backed by in-situ measurements of the simulated flow. Thereby advancing model tasks and resolution requirements for in-situ data evaluations are increasing which poses a common issue in in-situ turbulence measurement research.

In the HeliOW project the aims of the Environmental Physics group is to deliver high resolution in-situ data to support a scientific evaluation of the near wake wind field of a wind energy converter system (WECS). This project is motivated by the results of the previous projects Lidar Complex and KonTest, were the remotely controlled aircraft system MASC (Multipurpose Airborne Sensor Carrier) was applied to.
As already stated, in HeliOW the wake of off-shore wind energy converter systems (WECS) are studied. The goal is to connect in-situ measurements - obtained in four campaigns throughout a year - and modeled data also to statistically evaluate weather data and pilot weather reports (PiReps) to increase helicopter crew safety when approaching WECS for servicing or hoisting, since more and more helicopter approaches have to be aborted for safety reasons in the wake of a WECS. At the end reasonable safety regulations and recommendations for maritime helicopter operations shall be concluded.
Another goal of HeliOW is to use high resolution measured data to support CFD simulation programs. As today it is not sufficiently investigated how wake turbulence from the tip of a blade propagates and develops through the wake.