Wind flow behavior prediction over complex terrains in respect with orography

Determination of energy production from a given location is related to the installation of tall tower equipped with specialized measuring equipment. Wind data extrapolation over the surface depends on the terrain features that have a significant impact on wind behavior. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of terrain specifics on the wind shear over the complex terrains. For this purpose, a high-mast (50 m) was installed and equipped with speed and wind direction sensors at four different heights. The study shows that for the type of terrain mentioned, the measuring equipment falls in the shadow of the boundary layer region. At the place where the wind follows the mountain ridge, the velocity profile is smooth, while in the proximity or perpendicular to the ridge, the wind shear is very sharp or even inverted. Wind gain and deceleration due to field features can reach up to 45%. The numerical procedures performed show that the use of measuring equipment having height below 25 m lead to significant profile distortion (it falls in a surface layer shadow) and can be considered unreliable.