Articles | Volume 11, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-2601-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-11-2601-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
23 Jul 2026
Research article |
| 23 Jul 2026
| 23 Jul 2026
Aerodynamic analysis of standard variable-speed torque control in complex terrain
Department of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Mac Gaunaa
Department of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
Niels Troldborg
Department of Wind and Energy Systems, Technical University of Denmark, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Short summary
When wind turbines operate in conditions which they were not designed for, e.g., complex terrain, they might show unexpected performance variations. Complex-terrain flow physics, such as streamwise flow acceleration, alter maximum performance. It is asked whether this also affects steady-state turbine control. We show that rotor-torque-based control strategies can lead to suboptimal control in these conditions, but the effect of the background flow on performance is larger.
When wind turbines operate in conditions which they were not designed for, e.g., complex...
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