Aeroelastic model validation with 8 MW field measurements: Influence of constrained turbulence with focus on power performance

Aeroelastic model simulations are essential for the design of wind turbines. Validation of these models is important to have confidence in the results of the models. It is a challenge to ensure that the input for the simulations, that is the wind field, corresponds as closely as possible to the real conditions during the measurement. We present the latest results of a validation campaign at an 8 MW wind turbine. We investigate the appropriateness of TurbSim's constrained turbulence model TIMESR for model validation and compare the validation results with the Kaimal turbulence model with a focus on power performance. TIMESR wind resulted in a slightly lower power performance in the part-load region than Kaimal wind. In contrast, the rotor speed showed a good agreement with measurements both using TIMESR wind as well as using Kaimal wind. Additionally, the linear regression result implies that the constrained turbulence wind field enables the model to reproduce a specific 10 min measurement. However, up to know the simulations show a consistently lower power in the part load region, which might result from a systematic error in the validation chain.