| 09 Sep 2025
Comparison of different simulation methods regarding loads, considering the Center of Wind Pressure
Abstract. This study presents a comprehensive comparison of different wind turbine simulation methods, with a focus on aerodynamic load prediction using the concept of the Center of Wind Pressure (CoWP) [C. Schubert et al., Wind Energ. Sci. Discuss., 2025]. Simulations under laminar, shear, and turbulent inflow conditions are carried out for this comparison. A new quantity, namely the Load center, is introduced to correlate the flow-related CoWP and the loads of the turbine. A novel calibration factor is introduced to establish a direct relationship between flow structures and aerodynamic loads. A good correlation between the inflow wind field and loads from blade element momentum simulations (BEM) is found. High-resolution Large eddy simulations (LES) show improved correlation with CoWP-based load estimates, attributable to the more-resolved flow modelling capabilities.
Competing interests: At least one of the (co-)authors is a member of the editorial board of Wind Energy Science.
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