Simultaneous measurements from two identical scanning lidars on sites separated by ~40 km allow accurate wind profile data to be obtained upstream and downstream of the local wind farms to analyze the combined effects of the spatial separation of the two lidars, sites topography and overall impacts of wind farms on wind flow. Comparison of rotor-layer winds between the two sites for various wind directions will be presented for different months, seasons, and for the entire period of the experiment. Likewise, turbulence statistics between the two sites will be compared to analyze how complex terrain modifies the turbulent structure of the planetary boundary layer. These results, combined with the records of meteorological phenomena, are being used to better understand wind flow in complex terrain and to capture cases of unusual wind flow behavior for further detailed analysis.
In addition, results of the statistical metrics between lidar-observed winds in the turbine rotor layer and those predicted by NWP models will be presented for the diurnal cycle of selected cases as well as for monthly and seasonal averages. Such analysis provides insight into model performance and the influence of captured atmospheric features on model accuracy and will help to improve model physics and forecast of wind flow over complex terrain.
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