Turbulent Inlet boundary conditions for large eddy simulation: an urban wind energy test-case

This paper reports on an investigation on numerical techniques to include turbulence at the inlet of Large Eddy Simulations (LES). Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is promising as a technique to support wind tunnel results and provide a thorough understanding of the flow field. LES in particular may represent a breakthrough in the correct modelling of turbulence as found in complex geometrical configuration, such as in the urban environment. In fact, the poor understanding of local features of urban and buildings flows is the main reason of the lack of a convincing positioning strategy for Wind Energy Converters (WEC) in such conditions. Nevertheless, Wind Energy is considered a promising way of harvesting wind energy in built areas, as it slashes infrastructural wind energy costs. Developing a successful numerical technique would therefore improve our understanding of the inflow to be considered for urban wind turbines, help us model the effect of turbulence on the aerodynamic performance and eventually assess a positioning strategy which could in turn improve the current poor performance of this technology.