P3.24
Examining wind energy's impact on local climate
Amanda S. Adams, Univ. of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; and D. W. Keith
The size and number of wind farms is growing across the globe. Wind energy provides the climatic benefit of producing energy without emitting CO2, however wind energy also has some unintended impacts. Large wind farms directly influence the atmospheric boundary layer by (1.) reducing wind speeds, (2.) generating blade scale turbulence in the wake of the turbines, and (3.) generating shear driven turbulence due to the turbine wake. Consequentially, large wind turbines can also have indirect effects on the local climate by influencing surface fluxes, advection of heat and moisture, and turbulent transport in the boundary layer. The Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) has been modified to include an energy conserving wind farm parameterization. The new parameterization exerts an elevated drag force on the wind, converts a fraction of the resolved flow into turbulent kinetic energy, and keeps track of the energy generated by the parameterized wind turbines. This talk will discuss results from simulations using the wind farm parameterization including changes to the structure of moisture and temperature in the boundary layer as well as agricultural implications of these changes.
Poster Session 3, Climate Model and Prediction Poster Session
Wednesday, 23 January 2008, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Exhibit Hall B
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