Researchers from Johns Hopkins University, including Manuel Ayala, Zein Sadek, Ondřej Ferčák, Raúl Bayoán Cal, Dennice Gayme, and Charles Meneveau, have developed a new model to improve the prediction of wind and ocean wave interactions. This research, published in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics, offers a practical tool for the energy sector, particularly in offshore wind energy research.
The team introduced the Moving Surface Drag (MOSD) model to address the challenges in Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Current methods either use expensive computational grids that adapt to wave phases or rely on equilibrium models that lack detailed wave phase information. The MOSD model strikes a balance by assuming ideal airflow over simplified, moving representations of water wave surfaces. It combines this approach with an equilibrium model for interactions that are not horizontally resolved, making it both accurate and computationally efficient.
Validation of the MOSD model against experimental and numerical datasets showed its robustness and accuracy in representing wave-induced effects on mean velocity and Reynolds stress profiles. The model is designed to be applicable to a wide range of wave fields, including cross-swell and multiple wavelength cases. The researchers also applied the model to LES of a laboratory-scale fixed-bottom offshore wind turbine, comparing the results with wind tunnel experimental data. The MOSD model demonstrated good agreement in wind-wave-wake interactions and phase-dependent physics at a low computational cost.
This research highlights the practical applications of the MOSD model for studying turbulent atmospheric-scale flows over the sea. Its simplicity and minimal computational requirements make it a valuable tool for offshore wind energy research, where understanding wind-wave interactions is crucial for optimizing turbine performance and ensuring safe and efficient operations. The model’s ability to provide accurate predictions at a low cost could significantly enhance the planning and implementation of offshore wind projects, contributing to the growth of renewable energy sources.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.