A multi-Gaussian wake modelling method for a lateral row of turbines

Journal article

Calculating the wake behind multiple turbines has been a challenge in wake modelling. Superposition methods have been widely used because of their simplicity. However, it is hard to truly conserve momentum using these techniques. Momentum-conserving models also do not usually consider how wake interactions affect the recovery rate. Thus, these models do not always provide accurate predictions. In this study, we propose a new far-wake model for a lateral row of identical turbines in a uniform flow that accounts for the reduction of lateral transfer of energy between neighbouring turbine wakes. The model assumes a multi-Gaussian wake profile and models the recovery rate by calculating the divergence of the Reynolds shear stresses. We verify the model with numerical simulations of flow past actuator discs over a range of thrust coefficients, inflow turbulence intensities and two turbine spacings, and also compare it with linear and root-sum-square superposition methods of a single wake. Overall, the proposed model demonstrates good agreement with the simulation results. This new approach could provide a basis for engineering modelling of wind farm internal flow fields and multi-rotor turbine wakes in future studies.

Authors: Fei, Z; Vogel, CR; Nishino, T

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Journal: Journal of Physics: Conference Series
• Volume: 3224
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 032032
• Article number: 032032
• Publication date: 2026-05-01
• DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/3224/3/032032
• EISSN: 1742-6596
• ISSN: 1742-6588
• Language: English