SOME MEASUREMENTS OF TURBULENCE CHARACTERISTICS OVER COMPLEX TERRAIN

Results are presented from a windturbulence measurements campaign at the summit of ahill in complex terrain in Andros island (Greece)where a wind turbine park has been constructed. Meanturbulence parameters and power spectra from three 30 mmasts located at the summit, upwind and downwind ofthe hill are analysed to ascertain the differencesfrom respective parameters in flat terrain and toassess the influence of the irregular topography. Thevariances of the horizontal (vertical) wind components are found tobe smaller (larger) than the onesfrom flat terrain. Of the available correlations forthe power spectra, the Von Karman one was found togive better results, although the low frequency partsshow pronounced lags. The asymmetry of the upwindterrain for different wind directions and especiallyits slope is clearly felt both by variances and byspectra. This influence, as expected, is found toincrease with increasing stability. These results havean important significance for wind turbine design andwind energy utilisation.