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https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-111
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2025-111
14 Jul 2025
 | 14 Jul 2025
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal WES.

Brief communication: Enhanced representation of the power spectra of wind speed in Convection-Permitting Models

Nathalia Correa-Sánchez, Xiaoli Guo Larsén, Giorgia Fosser, Eleonora Dallan, Marco Borga, and Francesco Marra

Abstract. The accurate representation of the power spectra of wind speed is crucial for assessing extreme wind speeds, but numerical models often suffer from premature energy loss at high frequencies. Here, we show that Convection-Permitting Models from the CORDEX-FPS can reproduce the theoretical -5/3 slope of the 100 m wind speed power spectra in the high frequency range, contrary to other mesoscale simulations used by the wind community (NEWA and ERA5), which exhibit steepened spectral slopes. This superior energy cascade representation is essential for extreme wind estimation and eliminates the need for spectral corrections, opening opportunities for improved wind farm design and more reliable energy transition planning.

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Nathalia Correa-Sánchez, Xiaoli Guo Larsén, Giorgia Fosser, Eleonora Dallan, Marco Borga, and Francesco Marra

Status: open (until 11 Aug 2025)

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Nathalia Correa-Sánchez, Xiaoli Guo Larsén, Giorgia Fosser, Eleonora Dallan, Marco Borga, and Francesco Marra
Nathalia Correa-Sánchez, Xiaoli Guo Larsén, Giorgia Fosser, Eleonora Dallan, Marco Borga, and Francesco Marra
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Latest update: 14 Jul 2025
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Short summary
We examined the power spectra of wind speed in three convection-permitting models in central Europe and found these models have a better representation of wind variability characteristics than standard wind datasets like the New European Wind Atlas, due to different simulation approaches, providing more reliable extreme wind predictions.
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