Large eddy simulation with realistic geophysical inflow of Alpha Ventus wind farm: a comparison with LIDAR field experiments

In the current paper we perform a high Reynolds number large eddy simulation (LES) study of the offshore Alpha Ventus wind farm in North Sea. Actuator line modeling has been used for the rotating turbines. The wind farm is driven by a neutral atmospheric boundary layer coupled with realistically varying mean wind flux and direction from cup and vane anemometer data. We carry out comparison of LES and LIDAR based experimental results obtained from low-elevation angle Plan Position Indicator (PPI) scans of the velocity structures between two turbines. The results indicate towards a more fundamental understanding on the capability of LES inflow methodology in capturing realistic large scale structures that are observed in wind farm flows.