Sanjiva K. Lele, aeronautics and astronautics, and mechanical engineering; John Weyant, management science and engineering
Funded by the TomKat Center with support from PIE
Power output by large wind farms is typically 25 percent less than what it should be due to rear windmills operating in the turbulent wakes of those up front. These wakes also increase strain on the downwind blades and, thus, raise operating costs. This project, funded jointly by the TomKat Center and Stanford’s Precourt Institute for Energy, will test whether positioning smaller, mixing turbines among the primary turbines in conjunction with other new management approaches, will significantly increase output and cut costs. The researchers will also develop an optimization model for designing new wind farms and operational algorithms based on a given farm’s terrain and environment.
