The maximum wind energy of the most correlated points in an urban environment
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates the maximum wind energy potential of points that exhibit the highest correlation in an urban environment. A wind tunnel experiment that was simulated in a previous study using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) methodology to generate wind speed time series at various locations within a complex urban setting. The analysis focuses on the correlation of wind speeds at different heights and spatial points, demonstrating a clear dependence on height, with maximum correlations generally increasing as height increases. This phenomenon is attributed to the disruption of turbulent eddies by buildings, which significantly influences the wind flow patterns. The Spectral Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (SPOD) technique is employed to calculate the maximum wind energy, revealing that the maximum values occur on building rooftops. Additionally, an empirical equation is proposed, relating the maximum wind energy to the distance between the most correlated points, with a relatively high correlation coefficient. The findings of this research have practical implications for the optimization of renewable energy resources, particularly in urban environments where wind flow is highly complex. This study contributes to the understanding of wind energy potential in urban settings, offering insights that could be valuable for the placement and design of wind turbines in such challenging environments. The study revealed a significant dependence of wind energy potential on spatial positioning and height, with maximum values occurring at rooftops. An empirical equation was developed to predict the difference in maximum wind energy based on the distance between highly correlated points, offering a practical tool for urban wind energy optimization. These findings provide actionable insights for the integration of renewable energy systems in complex urban settings.
Source: Energy Storage and Conversion
DOI: 10.59400/esc2211
Author: George Efthimiou
Institution: Centre for Research and Technology Hellas
Language: English
Topic: Wind and Air Flow Studies
Subfield: Environmental Engineering
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409015578