WindStation is a wind energy software which uses computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to conduct wind resource assessments in complex terrain. The physical background and its numerical implementation are described in.[1] and the official manual of the software.[2]
| Developer(s) | menzio GmbH |
|---|---|
| Initial release | September 17, 2017 |
| Stable release | 1.5.0
/ May 11, 2021 |
| Operating system | Windows |
| Available in | English, German |
| Type | wind energy software |
| License | proprietary software commercial software |
| Website | Official website of menzio GmbH and WindStation |
WindStation takes the terrain description in raster format as well as wind observations and atmospheric stability as input data. Solution is provided for the non-linear fluid dynamics equations, with inclusion of Coriolis effects.[2]
The implemented nesting technique enables the user to run the simulation with measured wind data or mesoscale data. Domain and meshing provide flexibility, including features such as automatic alignment with free stream direction.[2]
WindStation can be used to prepare wind resource assessments in complex terrain in order to quantify the feasibility of wind farms.[3] This is achieved by taking into account measured wind data from a measurement mast or reanalysis data as well as terrain and roughness data. It can also be used to evaluate the flow around buildings in cities. Additionally, WindStation can be applied for specific analysis of urban climate including air pollution and dispersion calculations. Batch run features allow the setup and calculation of multiple projects, including climatology calculations for statistical analysis. Postprocessing tools are available for visualisation as well as data export options.[4]
WindStation was originally developed to simulate and predict fire propagation.[5] [6][7]
The software can be used by wind turbine manufacturers, wind farm developers, consulting firms and wind farm operators. A free trial version of the software including all features and modules can be requested online.[4]
Description
editWindStation solves the momentum (Navier-Stokes) equations, continuity, energy and turbulence equations, using a control volume approach in a terrain-following mesh. The underlying method relies on the SIMPLEC algorithm applied to a collocated grid arrangement. The pressure correction equation is solved using a multigrid method for faster convergence.[2]
WindStation provides a graphical user interface consisting of a main window including the visualisation of terrain and roughness data as well as positions of turbines and input climatology data. The main simulation details are shown as expandable windows. The menus for changing numerical and boundary conditions as well as input data can be reached over the software menu or small icons.[2][4]
WindStation provides file formats which can be read by WindPRO, WAsP and ArcGIS.[2]
WindStation is available in English and German. Portuguese, Spanish and French are currently under preparation.[4]
Case studies
editWindStation has been applied to case studies and validated with actual wind measurements in several studies.[8][9][10] Also, it was validated using the widely used Bolund case study.[11][12] The wind farm models of WindStation were tested and validated in.[13][14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Gameiro Lopes, Antonio M. (2003). "WindStation – A software for the simulation of atmospheric flows over complex topography" (PDF). Environmental Modelling & Software. 18 (1): 81–86. doi:10.1016/S1364-8152(02)00024-5.
- ^ a b c d e f Gameiro Lopes, Antonio M. (2019). WindStation – Version 1.3.23 – User's manual. menzio GmbH.
- ^ "TR6 conform, bankable wind and energy yield assessments". www.menzio.de. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
- ^ a b c d "WindStation CFD". www.menzio.de. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
- ^ Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Sousa, A. C. M.; Viegas, D. X. (1995). "Numerical Simulation of Turbulent Flow and Fire Propagation in Complex Terrain" (PDF). Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A (27): 229–253.
- ^ Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Ribeiro, L. M.; Viegas, D. X. (2005). Application of Computer Models to the Prediction of Wildland Fire Behaviour and Environmental Impact. 3rd Dubrovnik Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment Systems. Dubrovnik, Croatia.
- ^ Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Cruz, M. G.; Viegas, D. X. (2002). "FireStation – An Integrated Software System for the Numerical Simulation of Wind Field and Fire Spread on Complex Topography". Environmental Modelling & Software. 17 (3): 269–285. doi:10.1016/S1364-8152(01)00072-X.
- ^ Moore, G.; Paine, R. J.; Gameiro Lopes, A. M. (March 2013). Practical Uses of the WindStation Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Model in Air Quality Dispersion Studies. Air & Waste Management Association's Specialty Conference Guideline on Air Quality Models: The Path Forward. Raleigh, North Carolina.
- ^ Alé, J. A. V.; Oliveira, C. P.; François, D. E.; Gameiro Lopes, A. M. (2011). Wind Resource of Microregions in South and Northeast of Brazil: An Evaluation of Meteorological Data and Computational Tool. EWEA 2011 – Europe's Premier Wind Energy Event. Belgium.
- ^ Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Herrera Sánchez, O.; Sperling, T.; Daus, R.; Braun, R. (2017). "Prediction of the wind field in moderate terrain using the Navier-Stokes solver WindStation". 13th German Wind Energy Conference : proceedings. DEWEK 2017 13th German Wind Energy Conference : proceedings. Bremen, Germany.
- ^ Lopes Duarte, N. G.; Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Herrera Sanchez, O. (2018). Teste de modelos de simulação do campo de ventos para aplicações de avaliação do potencial eólico (PDF) (Master Thesis: University of Coimbra).
- ^ Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Duarte, N. G. L.; Herrera Sánchez, O.; Daus, R.; Koch, H. (2021). "Numerical Prediction of the Boundary-Layer Flow Over the Bolund Hill: Assessment of Turbulence Models and Advection Schemes". Boundary-Layer Meteorology. 180: 27–52. doi:10.1007/s10546-021-00613-5. S2CID 233330672.
- ^ Nunes Vicente, A. H. S.; Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Herrera Sanchez, O. (2018). Validation of wind turbine wake models (Master Thesis: University of Coimbra).
- ^ Gameiro Lopes, A. M.; Vincente, A. H. S. N.; Herrera Sánchez, O.; Daus, R.; Koch, H. (2022). "Operation assessment of analytical wind turbine wake models". Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics. 220.