NUMERICAL-SIMULATION OF THE ATMOSPHERIC FLOW IN A MOUNTAINOUS REGION OF THE NORTH OF PORTUGAL

The present paper discusses the results of a numerical simulation of t he wind flow over a mountainous area called Serra das Meadas, located in the North of Portugal, 60 km east of Porto, at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. Wind turbines are under installation in this region , where the availability of reliable wind data is crucial for the succ ess of both the economic studies and operation of the windpower statio n. The mathematical model was based on the solution of the fluid flow (Reynolds averaged) and turbulence model equations (rc-E) using a non- orthogonal three-dimensional grid system. The results showed that it i s possible to obtain three-dimensional simulations of the atmospheric flow over complex terrain, within a reasonable amount of computer time . Differences of about 10% of the wind speed measured 30 m above the g round could occur as a result of different grid resolution or flow inl et conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.