Determination of the best WRF model configuration for the wind forecast in Arinaga (Gran Canaria) : wind power production application

Abstract

In this study, the performance of five simulations considering different sets of planetary boundary layer (PBL) and surface layer (SL) parameterizations schemes was tested in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands). SIMAR-44 reanalysis data was used for comparison. Wind fields simulations were performed at 10 m-height and a spatial resolution of 1.3x1.3 km for the period from July 15, 2005 to August 15, 2005. The PBL-SL parameterization set composed by the schemes MYNN-Janjic Eta was used to investigate how an offshore wind-turbine (AD 8-180), modifies land-atmosphere exchanges. Although no major differences are seen among the simulations, they are not negligible since wind energy production is very sensitive to wind simulation accuracy. The simulation set by a non-local closure YSU PBL scheme and the Monin-Obukhov SL scheme appeared as the one with the overall best performance. Regarding the wind turbine impact on climate, results reveal an almost negligible increase of 2 m-height air temperature and a decrease of the mean wind speed due to turbulence generated by wind turbine rotor.