Note: This talk is available over Zoom.

Title: Harnessing Fluid Mechanics for the Development of Next-Generation Wind Energy Systems

Abstract: Wind turbines are becoming significantly larger, with utility scale wind turbine tower heights exceeding 100 meters and diameters of hundreds of meters, especially in offshore conditions. These massive new machines face efficiency and reliability challenges because they operate in a way that defies the assumptions used in the classical theories that they have been designed with. Addressing these challenges requires a new modeling framework that integrates high-fidelity simulations, high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and experimental validation, all grounded in fundamental fluid mechanics. In this talk, we will discuss advancements in wind energy modeling for computational fluid dynamics and how the fundamentals of fluid mechanics can be used to augment wind energy extraction of wind turbines and wind plants. We will particularly focus on the development of the curled wake model used to predict wind turbine wakes in yaw. A special emphasis will be given on the assumptions, simplifications and fluid mechanics concepts used to develop this simplified 3D model in view of flow control for wake steering. We will also discuss next steps in the modeling framework and how it can be used to improve wake steering technologies.

Bio: Luis ‘Tony’ Martinez Tossas is a research engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) specializing in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics for wind energy applications. Tony is currently on sabbatical working with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy on wind turbine wake modeling for wake steering. Tony obtained a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez (UPRM) and his MS project was a partnership between UPRM and NREL on wind turbine modeling for CFD. Tony then obtained a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University focused on theoretical aerodynamics for wind energy. Tony uses his expertise in aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics to advance the science and technology of wind energy and has more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and a patent on wind turbine blade designs. Tony is the chair of the NAWEA Conference Committee that oversees the organization of the yearly NAWEA/WindTech Conference.